Copper-Enhanced CO 2 Electroreduction in SOECs

• Published in: ACS applied materials & interfaces 2024-02, Vol.16 (7), p.8842-8852
• Main Authors: Draz, Umer, Di Bartolomeo, Elisabetta, Panunzi, Anna Paola, Pasqual Laverdura, Umberto, Lisi, Nicola, Chierchia, Rosa, Duranti, Leonardo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1944-8244; 1944-8252
• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c17766

The development of a Co-free and Ni-free electrocatalyst for carbon dioxide electrolysis would be a turning point for the large-scale commercialization of solid-oxide electrolysis cells (CO -SOECs). Indeed, the demand for cobalt and nickel is expected to become critical by 2050 due to automotive electrification. Currently, the reference materials for CO -SOEC electrodes are perovskite oxides containing Mn or Co (anodes) and Ni-YSZ cermets (cathodes). However, issues need to be addressed, such as structural degradation and/or carbon deposition at the cathode side, especially at high overpotentials. This work designs the 20 mol % replacement of iron by copper in La Sr FeO as a multipurpose electrode for CO -SOECs. La Sr Fe Cu O (LSFCu) is synthesized by the solution combustion method, and iron partial substitution with copper is evaluated by X-ray powder diffraction with Rietveld refinement, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyses, and electrical conductivity assessment. LSFCu is tested as the SOEC anode by measuring the area-specific resistance versus T and pO . LSFCu structural, electrical, and electrocatalytic properties are also assessed in pure CO for the cathodic application. Finally, the proof of concept of a symmetric LSFCu-based CO -SOEC is tested at 850 °C, revealing a current density value at 1.5 V of 1.22 A/cm , which is remarkable when compared to similar Ni- or Co-containing systems.