Electrochemical Performance, Microstructure and Chemical Compositions of Cu-Based Nanoparticles Driven By Exsolution of CuFe_2O_4 in CO_2/H_2O and H_2O Electrolysis

摘要

Use of perovskite as a cathode for solid oxide electrolysis cell is limited by its insufficient electrolysis current density or catalytic activity. Most of present perovskites used has a crucial drawback - significant segregation of A-site cations (i.e. SrO), likely resulting in the degradation of performance. In this work, spinel oxide of CuFe_2O_4, which is an alkline earth metal free oxide, is applied as the cathode material to investigate its electrochemical performance, microstructure and chemical composition in the electrolysis of CO_2/H_2O, steam and CO_2. It was found that the exsolution of Cu nanoparticles was observed in CO_2/H_2O co-electrolysis and the microstructure of CuFe_2O_4 influenced significantly by operating in different CO_2/H_2O compositions. Despite the significantly microstructural variation of the CuFe_2O_4 layer, the cell performs relatively stable electrochemical performance in CO_2/H_2O and steam electrolysis.