Improving performance of proton ceramic electrolysis cell perovskite anode by Zn doping

As an important renewable energy, hydrogen energy becomes an important part of the future energy system. Proton ceramic electrolysis cell (PCEC) enables the efficient, clean, large-scale preparation of hydrogen, which is a new type of energy conversion device, attracting the attention of many researchers. Sr₂Fe_1.4Zn_0.1Mo_0.5O_6-δ (SFZM) anode materials were developed to investigate the effect of B-site doping of Zn on the electrochemical properties of the Sr₂Fe_1.5Mo_0.5O_6-δ (SFM) materials. The results reveal that the doping of Zn increases the concentration of oxygen vacancies and improves the electrocatalytic activity, which in turn improves the performance of the material. A current density of 408 mA cm⁻² has been achieved at 1.3 V when the SFZM-based single cell was operated in an electrolysis mode (50% H₂O in air) at 600 °C, higher than SFM-based single cells (286 mA cm⁻² at 1.3 V). In addition, the SFZM-based single cell exhibited good durability in a stability test at an electrolysis current density of 408 mA cm⁻². This work confirms that SFZM is a promising material for proton ceramic electrolysis cell anode.