Li Zhang, Haixia Zhang, Yuxi Sun, Jingyi Ding, Yubo Jiang, Yang Yang, Chuangang Yao
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have garnered significant attention due to their high efficiency and pollution-free characteristics. The performance of SOFCs is critically dependent on the development of highly active and stable cathode materials. This study reports Zn-doped Pr 0.5 Ba 0.5 Fe 0.9 Zn 0.1 O 3−δ (PBFZ) as a novel high-performance perovskite cathode material. Experimental results demonstrate that introducing a minor quantity of Zn into the B-site of the Pr 0.5 Ba 0.5 FeO 3−δ (PBF) significantly increases the oxygen vacancy concentration, accelerates cathodic oxygen reduction (ORR) kinetics, and enhances tolerance to CO 2, thereby leading to superior electrochemical performance. Tests revealed that a full cell employing PBFZ as the cathode achieved exhibiting a peak power density (PPD) of 762.9 mW cm –2 at 800 °C under fuel cell operation, representing an approximately 40% improvement compared to the PBF material. Furthermore, under CO 2 electrolysis mode (800 °C, 1.5 V), a current density of 1.33 A cm –2 is achieved by the cell. These results highlight the potential of PBFZ as a viable cathode material applicable to both SOFCs and SOECs.