Reversible protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (R-PCECs) are emerging as ideal devices for highly efficient energy conversion (generating electricity) and storage (producing H2 ) at intermediate temperatures (400-700 °C). However, their commercialization is largely hindered by the development of highly efficient air electrodes for oxygen reduction and water-splitting reactions. Here, the findings in the design of a highly active and durable air electrode are reported: high-entropy Pr0.2 Ba0.2 Sr0.2 La0.2 Ca0.2 CoO3- δ (HE-PBSLCC), which exhibits impressive activity and stability for oxygen reduction and water-splitting reactions, as confirmed by electrochemical characterizations and structural analysis. When used as an air electrode of R-PCEC, the HE-PBSLCC achieves encouraging performances in dual modes of fuel cells (FCs) and electrolysis cells (ECs) at 650 °C, demonstrating a maximum power density of 1.51 W cm-2 in FC mode, and a current density of -2.68 A cm-2 at 1.3 V in EC mode. Furthermore, the cells display good operational durabilities in FC and EC modes for over 270 and 500 h, respectively, and promising cycling durability for 70 h with reasonable Faradaic efficiencies. This study offers an effective strategy for the design of active and durable air electrodes for efficient oxygen reduction and water splitting.
Keywords: air electrodes; fuel cells; high-entropy perovskite oxides; reversible protonic ceramic electrochemical cells; structural stability.
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