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Strategic atomic trapping at heterointerfaces for protonic ceramic cells

Author

Listed:
  • Zuoqing Liu

    (Nanjing Tech University, State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering)

  • Ruixi Qiao

    (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Institute for Frontier Science)

  • Desheng Feng

    (University of Melbourne, Department of Chemical Engineering)

  • Jin Zhou

    (Zhejiang Normal University, Zhejiang Institute of Photoelectronics & Zhejiang Institute for Advanced Light Source)

  • Haosong Di

    (Nanjing Tech University, State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering)

  • Yuesheng Bai

    (Nanjing Tech University, State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering)

  • Dongliang Liu

    (Nanjing Tech University, State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering)

  • Nai Shi

    (Curtin University, WA School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering (WASM-MECE))

  • Wei-Hsiang Huang

    (National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center
    National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Sustainable Electrochemical Energy Development (SEED) Center)

  • Min-Hsin Yeh

    (National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Sustainable Electrochemical Energy Development (SEED) Center
    National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering)

  • Chih-Wen Pao

    (National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center)

  • Zhiwei Hu

    (Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids)

  • Guangming Yang

    (Nanjing Tech University, State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering)

  • Yuxiao Lin

    (Jiangsu Normal University, School of Physics and Electronic Engineering)

  • Zhixin Luo

    (Curtin University, WA School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering (WASM-MECE))

  • Ran Ran

    (Nanjing Tech University, State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering)

  • Wei Zhou

    (Nanjing Tech University, State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering)

  • Yinlong Zhu

    (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Institute for Frontier Science)

  • Zongping Shao

    (Curtin University, WA School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering (WASM-MECE))

Abstract

Engineering dynamic heterointerfaces with atomic precision is critical for unlocking the full potential of reversible protonic ceramic electrochemical cells in sustainable energy conversion, while minimizing precious metal use in composite electrodes. Here, we introduce an atomic trapping strategy that restructures the interfacial chemistry of Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-δ perovskite and Ru@CeO2-δ fluorite heteroelectrodes, achieving catalytic synergy through manipulating Ru coordination environment. A scalable co-sintering protocol induces thermodynamically driven Ru migration from the CeO2 lattice into the perovskite matrix, creating coupled interfaces. This optimizes interfacial electron redistribution, generates interfacial oxygen vacancies, and improves triple conductivity and hydration kinetics. The electrode with low Ru loading exhibits bifunctionality, delivering a peak power density of 1.51 W cm−2 and an electrolysis current density of −2.21 A cm−2 at 650 °C. It demonstrates notable durability with minimal degradation (0.09 mV h−1) over 400 h at 600 °C, providing a universal strategy for next-generation solid-state energy devices.

Suggested Citation

  • Zuoqing Liu & Ruixi Qiao & Desheng Feng & Jin Zhou & Haosong Di & Yuesheng Bai & Dongliang Liu & Nai Shi & Wei-Hsiang Huang & Min-Hsin Yeh & Chih-Wen Pao & Zhiwei Hu & Guangming Yang & Yuxiao Lin & Zh, 2025. "Strategic atomic trapping at heterointerfaces for protonic ceramic cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-65386-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-65386-8
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