Sr(Ti0·3Fe0.7)O3−δ-based perovskite with in-situ exsolved Fe–Ru nanoparticles: A highly stable fuel electrode material for solid oxide electrochemical cells with efficient electrocatalytic CO2 reduction ability and preferential selectivity

The development of solid-oxide cells requires fuel electrodes capable of promoting highly catalytic activities for CO 2 electrochemical reduction (CO 2 R). This study develops a fuel electrode material, Sr(Ti 0·3 Fe 0·63 Ru 0.07 ) O 3-δ (STFR) perovskite, enhance with in-situ exsolved Fe–Ru nanoparticles (STFR–FeRu), demonstrating excellent electrochemical catalytic activity for CO 2 R, considerable stability, and high selectivity for CO 2 electrolysis. Notably, the study discovered for the first time that STFR–FeRu exhibits significantly enhanced catalytic activity in a CO 2 -containing atmosphere compares to that in hydrogen-based fuels. At 800 °C and 1.3 V, La 0·8 Sr 0.2 Ga 0.8 Mg 0·2 O 3-δ electrolyte-supported cells with STFR–FeRu fuel electrode, for direct CO 2 electrolysis, realizes a current density of 1.77 A cm −2 . This current density is 50 % higher than that of H 2 O electrolysis under the same conditions. Additionally, the cell achieves a current density of 1.54 A cm −2 for CO 2 –H 2 O co-electrolysis, with a high CO 2 electrolysis selectivity (CO concentration exceeding 60 % in the electrolysis products).