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Stable high-valent iridium single atoms for high-temperature CO2 electrolysis
Shaowei Zhang1, Shuo Wang1, Hewei Liu1
1State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China.
Nature Communications
|July 18, 2026
Summary
We developed a stable high-valent iridium single-atom catalyst strategy using strong metal-support interactions (SMSI) for high-temperature CO2 electrolysis in solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs). This enhances performance and durability.
Area of Science:
- Catalysis
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Single-atom catalysts (SACs) provide high efficiency but degrade at high temperatures.
- Developing stable SACs for high-temperature applications like CO2 electrolysis is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design a thermally and electrochemically stable high-valent iridium single-atom catalyst.
- To enhance CO2 electrolysis performance in solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) using strong metal-support interactions (SMSI).
Main Methods:
- Synthesized high-valent iridium SACs on a La0.6Sr0.4FeO3-δ (LSF) cathode.
- Utilized in situ SMSI induction during high-temperature cell fabrication and operation.
- Investigated the effect of SMSI on cathode electronic structure and CO2 activation.
Main Results:
- SMSI stabilized the iridium SAC and weakened Fe-O hybridization in the LSF cathode.
- Enhanced oxygen vacancy formation, CO2 adsorption, and activation.
- Achieved a 80.8% increase in CO2 electrolysis current density (3.02 A cm-2 at 800°C).
Conclusions:
- The SMSI strategy effectively stabilizes high-valent iridium SACs for high-temperature CO2 electrolysis.
- This approach significantly boosts performance and stability in SOECs.
- Provides a viable route for robust SAC design in demanding catalytic reactions.
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