Interfacial lattice-strain effects on improving the overall performance of micro-solid oxide fuel cells

Interfacial lattice-strain, typically capable of altering the energy states of electrical carriers associated with hetero-interfaces, has shown unprecedented efficiency for improving the performance of a variety of real-life devices involving heterostructure crystals, including fuel cells and batteries. In this review, we overview recent findings on interfacial lattice-strain effects on improving ionic conductivity, oxygen vacancy formation, and surface oxygen exchange kinetics at cathodes of micro-solid oxide fuel cells. Our review seeks to provide evidence of interfacial strain effects on the overall performance of solid oxide fuel cells, highlight the fundamental and technological relevance, and provide insightful guidelines to enable the operation of micro-solid oxide fuel cells at lower temperatures more efficiently by tailoring the lattice-strain.