Boosting the Electrocatalytic Activity of Pr_0.5Ba_0.5FeO_3-δ via Ni Doping in Symmetric Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells

Symmetric solid oxide electrolysis cells (SSOECs) have garnered significant scientific interest due to their simplified cell architecture, robust operational reliability, and cost-effectiveness, for which a highly electrocatalytically active electrode is the decisive main factor. This work evaluates the electrochemical performance of Ni-doped Pr_0.5Ba_0.5FeO_3-δ (PBF) perovskite materials, with a focus on Pr_0.5Ba_0.5Fe_0.8Ni_0.2O_3-δ (PBFN). The experimental findings herein prove the exceptional electrocatalytic ability of PBFN in facilitating the oxygen evolution and carbon dioxide reduction reaction, surpassing the electrochemical performance of PBF. In addition, the PBFN symmetric cell has excellent performance for CO₂ electrolysis, and the cell has a low polarization resistance value of 0.1 Ω·cm². Moreover, it achieves an impressive current density value of 1.118 A·cm^-2 under operating conditions of 2.0 V and 800 °C, which is superior to those of the PBF symmetric cell and the PBFN asymmetric cell. It also has a good structural and performance stability. These results imply a bright development prospect of PBFN as electrodes for SSOECs.