Abstract
Solid oxide cells (SOCs) represent a highly promising energy conversion and storage technology, potentially serving as a cornerstone of sustainable development strategies by significantly increasing the share of clean energy. During periods of surplus energy from renewable sources, hydrogen can be generated in the electrolysis mode, and subsequently consumed to produce electricity and heat when the demand is high in fuel cell mode. However, the conventional operating temperature of the cells, typically above 800 °C, poses challenges associated with thermal compatibility and material degradation, substantially inflating costs and hindering widespread commercialization. At the targeted operating temperatures below 600 °C, most electrode materials suffer drastic reductions in electrochemical performance, underscoring the need for innovative electrodes capable of maintaining high efficiencies at lower temperatures. Recent researches have highlighted the potential of a range of new electrodes engineering strategies, including mechanical milling, infiltration, in situ assembling, in situ exsolution of nanoparticles and morphology modification of materials to boost the electrode materials performance. It has been observed that materials possessing the same crystal structure yet an altered morphology can exhibit significantly distinct electrochemical characteristics, thereby enhancing processes such as the surface exsolution of nanocatalysts. A key advantage of these electrodes lies in their elevated catalytic activity, which bolster performance. In this study, we examine how transforming material morphology from a powder-based form to a nanofibrous structure influences electrochemical performance. Additionally, we investigate techniques such as the in situ exsolution of nanoparticles on material surfaces, evaluating whether morphological changes affect this process and assessing the impact of phase transitions on its effectiveness. While our primary focus is on perovskite-based materials and their derivatives for application in solid oxide cells, the insights gained may also be applicable to other domains within materials engineering. Using the example of the composite material GdBa 0.5 Sr 0.5 CoCuO 5+δ (GBSCC) - Ce 0.9 Gd 0.1 O 1.95 (GDC) and Sr 1.8 Fe 1.4 Ti 0.2 Cr 0.2 Ni 0.1 Co 0.1 O 6-δ perovskite, we demonstrate how changes in morphology (from powder to nanofiber) influence the material's performance, for example, the nanofibrous GBSCC-GDC electrode exhibits a polarization resistance (R p ) over 60% lower compared to the powder-based material electrode at 600 °C (0.186 Ω·cm² vs 0.493 Ω·cm²). Additionally, we show whether morphological modifications can impact the quantity and quality of in situ exsolved nanoparticles, as well as the elemental concentration after reoxidation. Exsolved nanoparticles from nanofiber materials have diameters over 50% smaller compared to powder-based perovskites. Acknowledgements: The work is funded by the National Science Centre Poland (NCN) based on the decision number UMO-2021/43/D/ST5/00824. Michał Gogacz also acknowledges the financial support of research project supported by the program „Excellence Initiative – Research University” for the AGH University of Krakow. HRTEM, EDS and SAED results were a part of CERIC-ERIC grant no. 20242238 and were conducted in National Institute of Materials Physics, Măgurele in Romania. Figure 1