In situ synthesis of cobalt-embedded gadolinia-doped ceria nanocatalysts for high-temperature solid oxide cells

• Published in: Journal of materials chemistry. A, Materials for energy and sustainability Materials for energy and sustainability, 2024-10, Vol.12 (41), p.28002-28011
• Main Authors: Cho, Hagyeong, Seo, Haewon, Min, Jihong, Won, Ji-eun, Hong, Jongsup, Yoon, Kyung Joong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalytic activity; Cell size; Cerium gadolinium oxides; Cerium oxides; Cobalt; Electrochemical analysis; Electrochemistry; Electrodes; Electrolysis; Electrolytic cells; Fuel cells; Gadolinium oxides; High temperature; Hydrogen production; Ion currents; Nanocatalysis; Nanoparticles; Nickel; Urea
• ISSN: 2050-7488; 2050-7496
• DOI: 10.1039/D4TA03979C

High-temperature solid oxide cells (SOCs) provide a highly efficient route for power generation and hydrogen production. In this study, we develop cobalt-embedded gadolinia-doped ceria nanocatalysts that significantly enhance the performance of nickel-based fuel electrodes of SOCs. These nanocatalysts are synthesized in situ within the pores of the electrode using a urea-based infiltration process. Doping gadolinia into the ceria lattice improves the oxygen ionic conductivity, and uniform gadolinia-doped ceria nanoparticles, 20–30 nm in size, consistently form within both symmetric and full cells. Meanwhile, a portion of the cobalt also forms discrete nanoparticles, less than 10 nm in size, further boosting catalytic activity. The electrochemical performance of the full cells is improved by approximately 30% and 60% in fuel cell and electrolysis mode operations, respectively. Additionally, the cell operates stably for 300 h under a constant electrolysis current of −1.0 A cm −2 at 700 °C, demonstrating that the nanocatalysts remain stable under harsh high-temperature conditions.