Boosting CO2 electrolysis performance via calcium-oxide-looping combined with in situ exsolved Ni–Fe nanoparticles in a symmetrical solid oxide electrolysis cell

Abstract

The electrocatalysis of CO₂ to valuable chemical products is an important strategy to combat global warming. Symmetrical solid oxide electrolysis cells have been extensively recognized for their CO₂ electrolysis abilities due to their high efficiency, low cost, and reliability. Here, we produced a novel electrode containing calcium oxide-looping and in situ exsolved Ni–Fe nanoparticles by performing a one-step reduction of La_0.6Ca_0.4Fe_0.8Ni_0.2O_3−δ (LCaFN). The CO₂ captured by CaO was electrolyzed in situ by the Ni–Fe nanocatalysts. The cell with this special cathode showed a higher current density (0.632 A cm⁻²vs. 0.32 A cm⁻²) and lower polarization resistance (0.399 Ω cm²vs. 0.662 Ω cm²) than the unreduced LCaFN cathode at 800 °C with an applied voltage of 1.3 V. Use of the developed novel electrode offers a promising strategy for CO₂ electrolysis.