An Efficient High-Entropy Perovskite-Type Air Electrode for Reversible Oxygen Reduction and Water Splitting in Protonic Ceramic Cells

Reversible protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (R-PCECs) are emerging as ideal devices for highly efficient energy conversion (generating electricity) and storage (producing H-2) at intermediate temperatures (400-700 degrees C). However, their commercialization is largely hindered by the development of highly efficient air electrodes for oxygen reduction and water-splitting reactions. Here, the findings in the design of a highly active and durable air electrode are reported: high-entropy Pr0.2Ba0.2Sr0.2La0.2Ca0.2CoO3-delta (HE-PBSLCC), which exhibits impressive activity and stability for oxygen reduction and water-splitting reactions, as confirmed by electrochemical characterizations and structural analysis. When used as an air electrode of R-PCEC, the HE-PBSLCC achieves encouraging performances in dual modes of fuel cells (FCs) and electrolysis cells (ECs) at 650 degrees C, demonstrating a maximum power density of 1.51 W cm(-2) in FC mode, and a current density of -2.68 A cm(-2) at 1.3 V in EC mode. Furthermore, the cells display good operational durabilities in FC and EC modes for over 270 and 500 h, respectively, and promising cycling durability for 70 h with reasonable Faradaic efficiencies. This study offers an effective strategy for the design of active and durable air electrodes for efficient oxygen reduction and water splitting.

Automated summary

A highly active and durable air electrode, high-entropy Pr0.2Ba0.2Sr0.2La0.2Ca0.2CoO3-delta (HE-PBSLCC), is designed for efficient oxygen reduction and water splitting. When used in reversible protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (R-PCECs), the HE-PBSLCC achieves impressive performance in fuel cell (FC) mode with a maximum power density of 1.51 W cm(-2) and in electrolysis cell (EC) mode with a current density of -2.68 A cm(-2) at 1.3 V. The cells also show good operational and cycling durabilities.