Perovskite chromates cathode with exsolved iron nanoparticles for direct high-temperature steam electrolysis

Recently, composite cathodes based on doped lanthanum chromates have been widely employed for direct steam electrolysis. However, this approach limits the electrode performances and Faraday efficiency due to insufficient electrocatalytic activity. This study addresses the drawbacks and reports an improved electrocatalytic activity and Faraday efficiency of composite cathode with a reversibly exsolved iron nanoparticles anchored on the surface of doped lanthanum chromates. A-site deficient and B-site excess (La0.75Sr0.25)0.85(Cr0.5Fe0.5)0.85Fe0.15O3-δ (LSCrFF) was designed as the parent material to anchor the exsolved iron nanoparticles on the surface of perovskite chromate (La0.75Sr0.25)(Cr0.5Fe0.5)O3-δ (LSCrF) via high-temperature reduction. The electrical properties of LSCrF and Fe/LSCrF were systematically investigated and correlated with electrochemical performance of the composite electrodes in symmetrical cells and electrolysis cells. The iron nanoparticles significantly improve the electrical conductivity of LSCrF from 1.80 to 6.35 S cm(-1) for Fe/LSCrF at 800 °C and Po2 of 10(-15) atm. The polarization resistance, Rp, of the symmetrical cells was accordingly enhanced from 4.26 Ω cm2 with LSCrF to 2.58 Ω cm2 with Fe/LSCrF in hydrogen atmosphere at 800 °C. The Faraday efficiency for the direct steam electrolysis showed a marked increase of 89.3% with LSCrFF cathode at 800 °C and 1.8 V as opposed to 76.7% with the cathodes based on LSCrF. The synergetic effect of catalytic-active iron nanoparticles and redox-stable LSCrF substrate produced improved performances and excellent stability for the direct steam electrolysis without a flow of reducing gas over the composite cathodes.