High-performance, high-entropy perovskite cathodes for low-temperature solid-oxide fuel cells

Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, vol. 391, pp. 126571

Abstract

The application of the high-entropy design principle has opened a number of new opportunities in terms of designing superior functional materials. One of the areas which can particularly benefit from that are air-electrodes for solid-oxide fuel cell technology (SOFC), currently suffering from the performance-functionality trade-off, observed in most state-of-the-art materials. In this work, it is demonstrated that careful optimization of La(Co,Cu,Fe,Mn,Ni)O 3-δ -based electrodes enables obtaining the performance typical for the low-temperature SOFC operation, with the cathodic polarization resistance R p values as low as 0.274 Ω cm 2 at 600 °C. This excellent value for an alkali-free material is obtained while preserving good thermomechanical behavior, and the chemical stability benefits of the Sr-free composition. The reasons behind this excellent performance are studied both experimentally and theoretically, showing that the presence of Cu in the system is responsible for the reported behavior, introducing synergistic effects outside of the rule-of-mixtures. In general, this study proves the potential of high-entropy approach as a powerful tool for designing SOFC materials, while simultaneously providing design guidelines for other materials to follow.

Authors 13

1. Juliusz Dąbrowa corresponding

   AGH University of Krakow

   Affiliation as printed

   AGH University of Krakow, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059, Krakow, Poland

2. Klaudia Zielińska

   AGH University of Krakow

   Affiliation as printed

   AGH University of Krakow, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059, Krakow, Poland

3. Marek Zajusz
4. Margarita Nowakowska

   AGH University of Krakow

   Affiliation as printed

   AGH University of Krakow, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059, Krakow, Poland

5. Maria Szymczak

   AGH University of Krakow

   Affiliation as printed

   AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Physics and Applied Informatics, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Cracow, Poland

6. Maciej Moździerz

   Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

   Affiliation as printed

   Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Materials Sciences Division, Berkeley, 94720, CA, United States

7. Andrzej Mikuła

   AGH University of Krakow

   Affiliation as printed

   AGH University of Krakow, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059, Krakow, Poland

8. Keyun Li

   AGH University of Krakow

   Affiliation as printed

   AGH University of Krakow, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059, Krakow, Poland

9. Paweł Czaja

   Institute of Metallurgy and Materials Science · Polish Academy of Sciences

   Affiliation as printed

   Aleksander Krupkowski Institute of Metallurgy and Materials Science, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Reymonta 25, 30-059, Krakow, Poland

10. Christian Günter Georg Schwab Aachen Institute of Physical Chemistry

    RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany

11. Andreas Falkenstein Aachen Institute of Physical Chemistry

    RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany

12. Manfred Martin Aachen Institute of Physical Chemistry

    RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany

13. Konrad Świerczek

    AGH University of Krakow

    Affiliation as printed

    AGH University of Krakow, AGH Centre of Energy, ul. Czarnowiejska 36, 30-054, Krakow, Poland

    AGH University of Krakow, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059, Krakow, Poland