Infiltrated Pr₂NiO₄ as promising bi-electrode for symmetrical solid oxide fuel cells

In-situ growth of nanoparticles on electrode surface for high temperature energy conversion devices is one of efficient ways for new electro-catalyst design. Here, perovskite-related Pr₂NiO₄ (PNO) has been evaluated as a novel symmetrical electrode for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). Nickel nanoparticles are exsolved and dispersed on the surface of PNO after exposed in H₂ at 800 °C as an efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) as anode. The electro-activity towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at cathode side is further improved by infiltration process. A synergetic effect of in-situ exsolved nanoparticles as well as infiltrated ionic conducting particles have improved HOR and ORR activity at anode and cathode side, respectively. Furthermore, symmetrical SOFC (S–SOFC) with infiltrated Pr₂NiO₄ as bi-electrode exhibits excellent short-term stability and reliable redox stability in repeated H₂/air cycles.