Ruddlesden-Popper perovskite anode with high sulfur tolerance and electrochemical activity for solid oxide fuel cells

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are regarded as attractive electrochemical energy conversion devices owing to their exceptional efficiencies and superb fuel flexibility. However, their widespread implementations are remarkably restricted by the inferior sulfur tolerance of state-of-the-art nickel-based cermet anodes under practical conditions. Herein, a layered NaLaTiO₄ (NLTO) perovskite oxide with Ruddlesden-Popper structure is designed as a new anode for SOFCs operating on sulfur-containing fuels. After impregnating NLTO into a samaria-doped ceria (SDC) scaffold, such impregnated nanocomposite anode exhibits high electrochemical activity, sulfur tolerance and stability in H₂S-containing fuels due to the polar layered structure, abundant oxygen vacancies, superior surface basicity and water storage capability, leading to the efficient removal of the deposited/adsorbed sulfur on the surface of this nanocomposite anode. The electrochemical activity of the NLTO-based composite anode for fuel oxidation is further improved by adding nickel nanoparticles through impregnation, showing enhanced power outputs and considerable operational stability in H₂S-containing fuels. This study provides a new, high-performing and sulfur-resistant anode for SOFCs, which may promote the commercialization of this technology.