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Hybridizing Electrode Interface Structures in Protonic Ceramic Cells for Durable, Reversible Hydrogen and Power
Shuanglin Zheng1, Bin Liu2, Guntae Kim3
1School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|May 21, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed a novel hybrid oxygen electrode for protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs) to boost hydrogen production and power generation efficiency. This innovation enhances electrode kinetics, improving overall device performance and durability.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Electrochemistry
- Renewable Energy Technologies
Background:
- Protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs) offer efficient energy conversion for sustainable hydrogen production and power generation.
- Intermediate-temperature operation of PCECs relies on proton-conducting electrolytes but is limited by sluggish oxygen electrode kinetics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an advanced hybrid oxygen electrode to overcome kinetic limitations in PCECs.
- To enhance oxygen adsorption, diffusion, and catalytic activity at the electrode-electrolyte interface.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a hybrid oxygen electrode using a PrNi0.7Co0.3O3-δ (PNC) backbone infused with oxygen vacancy-rich praseodymium oxide (PrOx) nanoparticles.
- Characterization of electrode properties, including surface and bulk characteristics, and performance evaluation in PCECs.
Main Results:
- The hybrid electrode demonstrated significantly enhanced oxygen adsorption and catalytic kinetics due to abundant oxygen vacancies and modulated d-band center in PrOx.
- PCECs with the hybrid electrode achieved a peak power density of 1.56 W cm-2 (fuel cell mode) and a current density of 2.25 A cm-2 (electrolysis mode).
- High Faradaic (96.8%) and energy (89.9%) efficiencies were recorded, alongside excellent thermal cycling stability and reduced polarization resistance (0.079 Ω cm2).
Conclusions:
- The developed hybrid oxygen electrode architecture effectively addresses the bottleneck of sluggish kinetics in PCECs.
- This advancement holds significant potential for improving the efficiency, durability, and broader applicability of PCECs in renewable energy systems.
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