Nano-Engineered Interfaces in Dual-Layer Electrodes for Protonic Ceramic Cells with Enhanced Stability and Kinetics

作者：Yuqi Geng, Shuanglin Zheng, Saroj Karki, Alejandro Serrano, Yijie Jiang, Idris Bello, Anshu Kumari, Dongyang Cao, Hanping Ding · 发表于：ACS Nano · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1021/acsnano.5c15759 · 被引用次数：5 · 研究领域：Advancements in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells、Thermal Expansion and Ionic Conductivity、Fuel Cells and Related Materials

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Enhancing interfacial stability and charge transfer in protonic ceramic cells (PCCs) remains a critical challenge, as structural degradation and interfacial resistance often compromise durability and efficiency. Here, we report a nanoengineered dual-layer oxygen electrode architecture designed to address these limitations by introducing a fine-grained nanoparticle interfacial contact layer beneath a porous catalytic backbone. The nanoscale powders, through enhanced sintering activity, densify into a robust interfacial layer that promotes strong chemical bonding, uniform adhesion, and continuous ionic/electronic pathways with the BCZYYb electrolyte. This hierarchical architecture mitigates delamination, redistributes mechanical stress, and establishes efficient charge and mass transport channels without relying on corrosive surface treatments. Electrochemical evaluation demonstrates that the dual-layer design markedly reduces interfacial polarization resistance and accelerates electrode kinetics. Compared to the single-layer counterpart, the architecture achieves a peel strength of 44.53 N/cm 2, a 40% improvement in peak power density (0.96 W cm –2 at 600 °C), and a 130% enhancement in electrolysis current density (4.78 A cm –2 at 1.57 V). Faradaic efficiency remains as high as 88% under high steam concentrations, underscoring minimal charge loss during practical operation. Notably, the electrode retains stability across 450–6...