Cu/Ce0.6Mn0.3Fe0.1O2-δ membrane fuel electrode fabricated by infiltration method for solid oxide electrochemical cells

A cermet fuel electrode Cu/Ce 0.6 Mn 0.3 Fe 0.1 O 2-δ (Cu/CMF) is proposed for a reversible solid oxide electrochemical cell (SOC) with CO/CO 2 as the shuttle. Cu is inert for the carbon deposition and CMF is electrochemically active for CO oxidation and CO 2 reduction. The electrode polarization resistances in CO at 700, 750 and 800   °C are 0.328, 0.207 and 0.155   Ω cm 2 , respectively, presenting high electrochemical activity towards CO oxidation. The maximal power densities can reach up to 303.3, 482.2 and 691.9   mW/cm 2 at 700, 750 and 800   °C, respectively. When the reversible SOCs are operated in solid oxide electrolysis cell mode, the polarization resistance of the electrolysis cell for pure CO 2 reduction at 800   °C has the minimal value of 0.126   Ω cm 2 at 1.8   V. At 2.0   V, the current densities can reach up to 0.584 1.219 and 2.204   A/cm 2 at 700, 750 and 800   °C, respectively. The durability of the cell in CO for as long as 200   h indicates the electrode has remarkable stability. And the short-term stability characteristics for CO 2 electrolysis at different voltages illustrate that the cell performs well below 2.0   V. The harsh reducing environment at 2.0   V may be detrimental to the Cu/CMF electrode.