Surface Activation by Single Ru Atoms for Enhanced High-Temperature CO₂ Electrolysis

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Cathodic CO2 adsorption and activation are crucial for high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs).
• Oxygen ionic conductors in SOEC cathodes often exhibit limited electrocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the electrocatalytic activity of SOEC cathodes for CO2 electrolysis.
• To investigate the effect of single-atom catalysts on the performance of SOEC cathodes.

Main Methods:

• Anchoring stable single Ruthenium (Ru) atoms onto the surface of Ce0.8Sm0.2O2-δ (SDC) via covalent metal-support interaction.
• Fabricating and testing a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) with a Ru1/SDC-La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ cathode.

Main Results:

• The electronic structure of the SDC surface was modified, favoring oxygen vacancy formation and improving CO2 adsorption and activation.
• The SOEC with the Ru1/SDC cathode achieved a high current density of 2.39 A cm⁻² at 1.6 V and 800 °C.
• Demonstrated enhanced electrocatalytic activity for high-temperature CO2 electrolysis.

Conclusions:

• Single-atom Ruthenium catalysts can significantly improve the performance of SOEC cathodes.
• Atomic-scale tailoring of cathode materials offers an efficient strategy for enhancing high-temperature electrocatalytic reactions.
• Expands the application of single-atom catalysts in SOEC technology.