High performance nanostructured bismuth oxide–cobaltite as a durable oxygen electrode for reversible solid oxide cells

Na Ai,Shuai He,San Ping Jiang,Minle Chen,Kongfa Chen,Teng Zhang

doi:10.1039/c8ta00370j

Abstract

Nanostructured bismuth oxide–cobaltite is developed as a high performance and durable oxygen electrode for reversible solid oxide cells.

Highlights

IntroductionSr-free cobaltite electrodes,[18] such as La(Co,Fe)xPd1ÀxO3Àd.[19,20] Recently, we have successfully developed a high performance Sr-free Sm0.95CoO3Àd electrode doped with 5% Pd in the B-site of the perovskite structure (SmCPd) and assembled it on a barrier-layer-free Y2O3–ZrO2 (YSZ) electrolyte.[21] The combination of SmCPd with an ion-conducting phase such as Gddoped CeO2 (GDC) leads to remarkably enhanced electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).[21]
The depletion of fossil fuels and the global climate crisis necessitate the development of innovative technologies to efficiently use renewable energy sources such as nuclear, solar and wind power
The results demonstrate that the nanostructured ESB decorated SmCPd oxygen electrode is high performing and stable for running in fuel cell, electrolysis and reversible modes

Summary

Introduction

Sr-free cobaltite electrodes,[18] such as La(Co,Fe)xPd1ÀxO3Àd.[19,20] Recently, we have successfully developed a high performance Sr-free Sm0.95CoO3Àd electrode doped with 5% Pd in the B-site of the perovskite structure (SmCPd) and assembled it on a barrier-layer-free Y2O3–ZrO2 (YSZ) electrolyte.[21] The combination of SmCPd with an ion-conducting phase such as Gddoped CeO2 (GDC) leads to remarkably enhanced electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).[21]. The paste was coated on the YSZ electrolyte lms via direct assembly by drying at 100 C in air for 2 h without an additional pre-sintering process at a high temperature as in the case of conventional electrode fabrication processes.[44,47] Pt paste (Gwent Electronic Materials Ltd) was painted on the electrodes as a current collector and heat-treated at 150 C in air for 2 h

Experimental section

Synthesis of powders and preparation of electrodes

Initial phase and microstructure

Electrochemical performance and stability

Microstructure and cation interdiffusion at the interface

Conclusions