Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• Gd0.75Sm0.25Ba0.5Sr0.5CoCuO5+δ double perovskite exhibits optimal structural, electrical, and thermomechanical properties among the tested compositions. • Electrodes fabricated via electrospinning outperform sol–gel-based electrodes, achieving a power density of 462 mW·cm−2 at 700°C in fuel cell mode. • Low polarization resistance of 0.086 Ω·cm² at 800°C demonstrates excellent electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction and evolution reactions. • The study validates the potential of multicomponent double perovskites as efficient oxygen electrodes for reversible solid oxide cells operating at intermediate temperatures.
Abstract
Multicomponent Gd1−xSmxBa0.5Sr0.5CoCuO5+δ double perovskites are optimized for application in terms of chemical composition and morphology for the use as oxygen electrodes in solid oxide cells. Structural studies of other physicochemical properties are conducted on a series of materials obtained by the sol–gel method with different ratios of Gd and Sm cations. It is documented that changing the x value, and the resulting adjustment of the average ionic radius, have a significant impact on the crystal structure, stability, as well as on the total conductivity and thermomechanical properties of the materials, with the best results obtained for the Gd0.75Sm0.25Ba0.5Sr0.5CoCuO5+δ composition. Oxygen electrodes are prepared using the selected compound, allowing to obtain low polarization resistance values, such as 0.086 Ω·cm2 at 800°C. Systematic studies of electrocatalytic activity are conducted using La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O3−δ as the electrolyte for all electrodes, and Ce0.8Gd0.2O2−δ electrolyte for the best performing Gd0.75Sm0.25Ba0.5Sr0.5CoCuO5+δ electrodes. The electrochemical data are analyzed using the distribution of relaxation times method. Also, the influence of the preparation method of the electrode material is investigated using the electrospinning technique. Finally, the performance of the Gd0.75Sm0.25Ba0.5Sr0.5CoCuO5+δ electrodes is tested in a Ni-YSZ (yttria-stabilized zirconia) anode-supported cell with a Ce0.8Gd0.2O2−δ buffer layer, in the fuel cell and electrolyzer operating modes. With the electrospun electrode, a power density of 462 mW·cm−2 is obtained at 700°C, with a current density of ca. 0.2 A·cm−2 at 1.3 V for the electrolysis at the same temperature, indicating better performance compared to the sol–gel-based electrode.
1. Introduction
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and solid oxide electrolyzer cells (SOECs) are among the most effective methods of energy conversion, allowing the utilization of (green) hydrogen for electricity and heat, as well as the production of H2 (and different e-fuels) when surplus electricity is available from renewables. These are expected to play a crucial role in the ongoing energy transition toward clean and versatile energy production, conversion, and storage. Notably, solid oxide cells (SOCs) enable reversible operation in a single generator, making them particularly useful for this application [1–2]. Nevertheless, their possible widescale usage is hampered by not completely resolved problems regarding stability during long-term operation and associated manufacturing and maintenance costs [3].
With the current trend of mitigating reliance on toxic and expensive Co, as well as decreasing the operation temperature of SOFC/SOEC stacks (typically to the intermediate temperature range, 600–800°C), several efforts have been undertaken to optimize the oxygen electrodes [4]. At lower temperatures, their performance is often limited owing to sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) kinetics [5]. These efforts are concentrated on both chemical composition and morphology optimization, which are aimed not only at improving performance but also at enhancing stability, especially considering the demands for reversible operation [6]. The presence of mixed ionic-electronic conductivity in the oxygen electrode is essential because ionic transport in the bulk improves the reaction kinetics [7].
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Jacek Winiarski, Piotr Winiarz, Konrad Świerczek (2025). Multicomponent Gd1−xSmxBa0.5Sr0.5CoCuO5+δ double perovskites as oxygen electrodes for solid oxide cells: Effect of chemical composition and electrospun morphology. Int. Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials (矿物冶金与材料学报). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-025-3262-z
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the optimal composition of the double perovskite for oxygen electrodes?
The optimal composition is Gd0.75Sm0.25Ba0.5Sr0.5CoCuO5+δ, which exhibits the best structural stability, electrical conductivity, and thermomechanical properties among the tested Gd1−xSmxBa0.5Sr0.5CoCuO5+δ series.
How does electrospinning affect the performance of the oxygen electrodes?
Electrospinning produces nanofibrous electrodes with enhanced surface area and porosity, leading to improved electrocatalytic activity. The electrospun electrode achieved a power density of 462 mW·cm−2 at 700°C, outperforming the sol–gel-based electrode.
What is the significance of the polarization resistance value reported?
A low polarization resistance of 0.086 Ω·cm² at 800°C indicates excellent oxygen reduction and evolution reaction kinetics, which is crucial for efficient operation of solid oxide cells at intermediate temperatures.
What electrolytes were used in the electrochemical testing?
La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O3−δ (LSGM) was used as the electrolyte for all electrodes, while Ce0.8Gd0.2O2−δ (GDC) was used for the best-performing Gd0.75Sm0.25Ba0.5Sr0.5CoCuO5+δ electrodes.
What is the potential application of these materials?
These materials are designed for use as oxygen electrodes in reversible solid oxide cells (SOFCs and SOECs), which can operate in both fuel cell and electrolysis modes, contributing to clean energy conversion and storage.
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