Self‐Assembled Perovskite Nanocomposite With Beneficial Lattice Tensile Strain as High Active and Durable Cathode for Low Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

• Published in: Advanced functional materials 2024-01, Vol.34 (4), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Du, Zhihong, Shen, Leyu, Gong, Yue, Zhang, Min, Zhang, Jingyan, Feng, Jiangyuan, Li, Keyun, Świerczek, Konrad, Zhao, Hailei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalysts; Catalytic activity; Cathodes; Chemical reduction; Commercialization; Durability; electrochemical performance; Electrode materials; lattice tensile strain; Low temperature; Low temperature resistance; Nanocomposites; oxygen reduction reaction; Oxygen reduction reactions; Perovskites; Self-assembly; solid oxide fuel cell; Solid oxide fuel cells; Stability; Tensile strain
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202310790

The sluggish kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at low temperatures and the fast degradation of the cathode are the main obstacles to the commercialization of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). However, it is still very challenging to achieve both high catalytic activity and favorable stability for single‐phase materials. Herein, a highly active and durable nanocomposite cathode (Ba0.5Sr0.5)0.75Pr0.25Co0.575Fe0.3W0.125O3‐δ (BSPCFW) for low‐temperature SOFC (≤650 °C) is presented, which self‐assembles into two cubic perovskites: the simple perovskite Pr0.38Ba0.25Sr0.37Co0.62Fe0.38O3‐δ (PBSCF‐c) and the B‐site cations ordered double perovskite Ba1.30Sr0.70Co1.0Fe0.25W0.75O6‐δ (BSCFW‐c). The former PBSCF‐c serves as the highly conductive and active catalyst for ORR, while the latter BSCFW‐c with a large lattice parameter introduces a key beneficial lattice tensile strain into the PBSCF‐c phase through a coherent interface, which significantly promotes the ORR activity at low temperatures with the area specific resistance of 0.034 Ω cm2 at 650 °C, and the long‐term stability of 2 years storage and 1280 h operation in symmetrical cell. The introduction of the beneficial lattice tensile strain in self‐assembled composite catalysts is an effective way to synergistically enhance the electrochemical activity and durability of the electrode materials for electrochemical devices. A self‐assembled perovskite nanocomposite cathode Pr0.38Ba0.25Sr0.37Co0.62Fe0.38O3‐δ‐Ba1.30Sr0.70Co1.0Fe0.25W0.75O6‐δ with beneficial lattice tensile strain demonstrates high conductivity, outstanding electrochemical activity, excellent durability, and enhanced thermal compatibility. This beneficial lattice tensile strain can synergistically enhance the electrochemical activity and durability of the catalyst, presenting a new rational design of high performance and durable catalysts for electrochemical devices.