Copper-Enhanced CO2 Electroreduction in SOECs

The development of a Co-free and Ni-free electrocatalyst for carbon dioxide electrolysis would be a turning point for the large-scale commercialization of solid-oxide electrolysis cells (CO2−SOECs). Indeed, the demand for cobalt and nickel is expected to become critical by 2050 due to automotive electrification. Currently, the reference materials for CO2−SOEC electrodes are perovskite oxides containing Mn or Co (anodes) and Ni-YSZ cermets (cathodes). However, issues need to be addressed, such as structural degradation and/or carbon deposition at the cathode side, especially at high overpotentials. This work designs the 20 mol % replacement of iron by copper in La0.6Sr0.4FeO3−δ as a multipurpose electrode for CO2−SOECs. La0.6Sr0.4Fe0.8Cu0.2O3−δ (LSFCu) is synthesized by the solution combustion method, and iron partial substitution with copper is evaluated by X-ray powder diffraction with Rietveld refinement, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyses, and electrical conductivity assessment. LSFCu is tested as the SOEC anode by measuring the area-specific resistance versus T and pO2. LSFCu structural, electrical, and electrocatalytic properties are also assessed in pure CO2 for the cathodic application. Finally, the proof of concept of a symmetric LSFCu-based CO2−SOEC is tested at 850 °C, revealing a current density value at 1.5 V of 1.22 A/cm2, which is remarkable when compared to similar Ni- or Co-containing systems.