Efficient CO2 and H2O Co-Electrolysis in a BaZr0.44Ce0.36Y0.2O3‑δ-Based Proton Ceramic Electrochemical Reactor with BaGd0.8La0.2Co2O6‑δ Steam Electrodes

TL;DR

This paper explores a new electrochemical reactor that efficiently converts CO2 and water into useful fuels using advanced materials.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel proton ceramic electrochemical reactor using BaGd0.8La0.2Co2O6‑δ electrodes for efficient CO2 and H2O co-electrolysis.

Findings

BGLC-BZCYYb4411 electrode shows high performance in steam and CO2 electrolysis.

The reactor achieves efficient CO2 upgrading and steam electrolysis in a single-step process.

Abstract

Despite the increasing
use of electrification and efforts to decarbonize
processes, hydrocarbons remain indispensable for heavy transport and
chemistry sectors. Electrochemical devices powered by renewable energy
offer a promising strategy to convert CO2 into sustainable
molecules that can be used as fuels and chemical feedstocks. In this
study, we investigate the electrochemical performance of BaGd0.8La0.2Co2O6‑δ as a steam or oxygen electrode in a proton ceramic electrolysis
cell. Two composite materials were evaluated as electrode candidates,
consisting of BaGd0.8La0.2Co2O6‑δ (BGLC) combined with either BaZr0.4Ce0.4Y0.1Yb0.1O3‑δ (BZCYYb4411) or BaZr0.5Ce0.3Y0.2O3‑δ (BZCY532). The electrodes were characterized
using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) on symmetrical
cells under various oxidizing conditions and temperatures. Based on
this analysis, the BGLC-BZCYYb4411 electrode was selected as the steam
electrode in a full PCER configuration, composed of Ni-SrZr0.5Ce0.4Y0.1O2.95 (SZCY541) as the
fuel/CO2 electrode and BaZr0.44Ce0.36Y0.2O3‑δ as the electrolyte. The
cell was evaluated for co-electrolysis of H2O and CO2. The results illustrate the potential of the BGLC-based electrodes
and BZCY-based electrolytes for efficient CO2 upgrading
and steam electrolysis in a single-step process.

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