New approach to enhance Sr-free cathode performance by high-entropy multi-component transition metal coupling

High-entropy perovskite cathode materials with the coupling of five or more different component transition metal species can provide great flexibility in modulating the electronic properties and catalytic activities for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Herein, as-prepared Sr-free high-entropy perovskite oxide LaMnO3-delta (LMO) is homogeneously incorporated five transition metal species Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu (LaMn0.2Fe0.2Co0.2Ni0.2Cu0.2O3-delta, HELMO) in B-site of perovskite, presenting enhanced electrochemical performance. The cell performance of anode supported SOFCs with HE-LMO cathode is almost one point five times (550.89 mW cm-2 at 800 C) of those with LMO cathode. Accordingly, the electrode polarization resistances of HE-LMO cathode are reduced from 0.532 omega cm2 to 0.212 omega cm2 at 800 C and from 4.051 omega cm2 to 1.538 omega cm2 at 650 C, respectively. All the results demonstrate that it would be a feasible way to design high-performance cathode materials with multi-component transition metal coupling at reduced temperature.

Automated summary

Research has shown that incorporating five different transition metal species into high-entropy perovskite oxide cathodes can significantly enhance the electrochemical performance and catalytic activities of solid oxide fuel cells. In experiments, it was found that cathode materials with this structure showed a 1.5-fold improvement in cell performance at 800 degrees Celsius, with a significant reduction in electrode polarization resistance.