Toward Advanced Fuel Electrodes for High-Performance Proton-Conducting Ceramic Cells

Abstract

Proton-conducting ceramic cells (PCCs), which include proton-conducting ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) and proton-conducting ceramic electrolysis cells (PCECs), have attracted significant attention as high-efficiency and eco-friendly technologies for energy conversion. As compared with the impressive progress made in air electrode and electrolyte materials, fuel electrodes have received much less attention due to the faster reaction kinetics and lower polarization. Nevertheless, the design and optimization of fuel electrodes is also critical toward further electrochemical performance improvement, especially when the fuel is extended from hydrogen to ammonia and hydrocarbons for PCFCs. Herein, the recent research progress on the design strategies for fuel electrodes of PCCs is overviewed, including impregnation strategy, exsolution strategy, addition of catalytic layers, and optimization of electrode structure. Finally, perspectives on the challenges facing the development of advanced PCCs fuel electrodes are presented.