Enhanced performance of a Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3- based oxygen electrode for solid oxide electrolysis cells by decorating with Ag particles

To improve the performance of a Ba(0.5)Sr(0.5)Co(0.8)Fe0(0.2)O(3-delta) (BSCF) oxygen electrode in a solid-oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC), Ag particles were added to increase its conductivity and thus its electrochemical performance. The experiment results showed that the polarization resistance of Ag decorated BSCF-SDC oxygen electrode with the appropriate amount of Ag particles was lower than that of BSCF-SDC oxygen electrode. Especially, the polarization resistance of Ag decorated BSCF-SDC oxygen electrode with 1.3 wt.% Ag particles (noted as 1.3Ag-BSCF-SDC) was as low as 0.006 omega cm(2). The 1.3Ag-BSCF-SDC oxygen electrode showed good stability in the short-term electrolysis durability test. The electrolysis cell based on 1.3Ag-BSCF-SDC oxygen electrode showed better performance than that based on BSCF-SDC oxygen electrode. Therefore, this method is an effective way to improve the performance of a BSCF-based oxygen electrode for an SOEC.