Ru-Doping-Induced Dual-Functionality in La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3-δ: Enhancing Efficient Multi-Fuels Oxidation and...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Symmetric solid oxide cells (SSOCs) offer architectural simplicity and reversible operation.
• Advancement of SSOCs is limited by the lack of electrode materials with both high catalytic activity and redox stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a high-performance symmetric electrode material for SSOCs.
• To investigate the dual functionality of Ru doping and A-site deficiency in the electrode material.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of B-site Ru-doped, A-site-deficient (La_0.6Sr_0.4)_0.9Ru_0.1Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3-δ (LSRCF).
• In situ exsolution of CoFeRu nanoalloys to form active metal/oxide heterointerfaces.
• Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to understand propane adsorption and oxidation mechanisms.
• Performance testing of SSOCs in fuel oxidation and CO₂ electrolysis modes.

Main Results:

• LSRCF electrodes exhibit excellent fuel oxidation activity, particularly for propane, due to in situ formed CoFeRu/RP-LSRCF heterointerfaces with enhanced adsorption and lower dehydrogenation barriers.
• Ru doping effectively suppresses strontium segregation and improves oxygen reduction kinetics on the oxygen electrode side.
• The LSRCF cell achieved high peak power densities (940-1230 mW cm^-2) with H₂, CH₄, and C₃H₈, demonstrating outstanding coking and sulfur tolerance.
• In CO₂ electrolysis, the cell reached a current density of 3390 mA cm^-2 at 1.6 V and 850°C with stable long-term operation.

Conclusions:

• The developed LSRCF material is a high-performance symmetric electrode for SSOCs, offering superior catalytic activity and stability.
• The strategy of B-site Ru doping and A-site deficiency provides a pathway for designing advanced electrode materials for energy conversion devices.