Redox-reversible niobium-doped strontium titanate decorated with in situ grown nickel nanocatalyst for high-temperature direct steam electrolysis.

Composite cathodes based on Sr0.94Ti0.9Nb0.1O3 (STNO) can be utilized for direct steam electrolysis; however, the insufficient electrocatalytic activity limits electrode performance and current efficiency. In this work, redox-reversible (Sr0.94)0.9(Ti0.9Nb0.1)0.9Ni0.1O3 (STNNO) with A-site deficiency and B-site excess has been designed as a cathode material in an oxide-ion-conducting solid oxide electrolyzer for direct steam electrolysis. The XRD, TEM, SEM, EDS, TGA and XPS results together confirm that the exsolution or dissolution of Ni nanoparticles anchored on the STNO surface is completely reversible in the redox cycles. The electrical properties of STNO and STNNO are investigated and correlated to electrode performances. The current efficiency with an STNNO cathode is enhanced by about 20% compared to the values with a bare STNO cathode in 5% H2O/H2/Ar or 5% H2O/Ar at 800 °C. The synergetic effect of catalytically active nickel nanoparticles and the redox-stable STNO skeleton contributes to the improved performance and excellent stability of the cathode for steam electrolysis.