DataVXACS Energy LettersPaper
journal article·2026-02-13

Reviving Air Electrodes in Protonic Ceramic Cells by Unlocking Subsurface

Haoqing Lin, Bing Li, Shunrui Luo, Yong Ding, Tongtong Li, Tenghui Yuan, Chaoxia Peng, Kai Pei, Yucun Zhou, Simin Jiang, Shasha Luo, Jordi Arbiol, Yu Chen, Wei Yuan, Enzuo Liu, Meilin Liu, Bote Zhao

ACS Energy Letters· Volume 11· Issue 2
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Source abstract

Abstract

Protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs) show promise for efficient hydrogen production and power generation, yet surface degradation of perovskite air electrodes caused by A-site cation segregation poses a challenge. Rather than suppressing surface segregation, this work leverages the opportunity, unlocking the latent potential of the catalytically active, B-site-enriched subsurface beneath the segregated surface layers. Using PrBa 0.5 Sr 0.5 Co 1.5 Fe 0.5 O 5+δ (PBSCF) as a model electrode, we expose a subsurface enriched with oxygen vacancies through an alkaline treatment. As a result, the electrolysis current density increases by 28% at 1.3 V and the peak power density improves by 24% at 650 °C in reversible PCEC operation, while maintaining stability. These improvements arise from enhanced H 2 O/O 2 adsorption and dissociation, and facilitated charge transfer, supported by experimental and theoretical analysis. This surface activation strategy is further validated across multiple perovskite air electrodes, demonstrating a general approach to revive segregated electrodes by harnessing the self-reconstructed subsurface.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline

Research context

Ceramics & glassesElectronic materialsCatalysis & surfaces

OpenAlex topics: Advancements in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells · Advanced battery technologies research · Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

School of Environment and Energy

South China University of Technology

Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2)

CSIC and BIST

School of Materials Science and Engineering

Georgia Institute of Technology

Energy Materials and Surface Sciences Unit (EMSSU)

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST)

South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics

South China Normal University

Beijing Huairou Laboratory

School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering

HuaHydro Horizon Energy (Guangdong) Co. Ltd., No. 63 Chuang Qi Road, Guangzhou 511450, China

ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Catalonia Spain

School of Materials Science and Engineering and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Composites and Functional Materials

Tianjin University

Funding

Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovaci?n y Universidades · Agencia Estatal de Investigaci?n · National Key Research and Development Program of China · European Regional Development Fund · Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province · Generalitat de Catalunya · Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities · Georgia Tech Foundation · National Natural Science Foundation of China · HuaHydro Horizon Energy (Guangdong) Co. · CERCA Programme · Guangzhou Basic Research Projects · Introduced Innovative R&D Team of Guangdong

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