A self-assembled composited cathode coated with dual-exsolved core-shell FeNi@FeO_x nanoparticles as efficient CO₂...

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Solid oxide electrolytic cells (SOECs) are crucial for efficient electrochemical reduction of CO2 to CO, aiding greenhouse gas mitigation.
• A significant challenge in SOEC application is the lack of stable and highly active cathode materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, self-assembled composite cathode material for enhanced CO2 electrolysis in SOECs.
• To investigate the performance and stability of SOECs utilizing the newly developed cathode for CO2 utilization.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a novel composite cathode: Ni co-doped (Pr0.5Sr0.5)0.95Fe0.9Nb0.1O3-δ-Gd0.1Ce0.9O2-δ (PSFNNb-GDC).
• Deposition of NiFe/FeOₓ nanoparticles with a core-shell structure onto the PSFNNb-GDC cathode surface.
• Testing of a La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O3-δ (LSGM)-based single cell with the novel cathode for CO2 electrolysis.

Main Results:

• The NiFe/FeOₓ@PSFNNb-GDC cathode demonstrated excellent performance, achieving 1.33 A cm⁻² at 850 °C (1.6 V).
• The single cell exhibited remarkable long-term stability at 800 °C (1.2 V).
• Performance enhancement is attributed to increased surface oxygen vacancies and in situ formed FeNi@FeOₓ core-shell nanoparticles.

Conclusions:

• The developed NiFe/FeOₓ@PSFNNb-GDC composite cathode shows great potential for efficient CO2 electrolysis.
• Rational structural design of SOEC cathode materials is key to advancing CO2 utilization technologies.
• This research contributes to sustainable solutions for greenhouse gas mitigation through improved CO2 conversion.