Protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs) have been intensively studied as the technology that can be employed for power generation, energy storage, and sustainable chemical synthesis. Recently, there have been substantial advances in electrolyte and electrode materials for improving the performance of protonic ceramic fuel cells and protonic ceramic electrolyzers. However, the electrocatalytic materials development for synthesizing chemicals in PCECs has gained less attention, and there is a lack of systematic and fundamental understanding of the PCEC reactor design, reaction mechanisms, and electrode materials. This review comprehensively summarizes and critically evaluates the most up‐to‐date progress in employing PCECs to synthesize a wide range of chemicals, including ammonia, carbon monoxide, methane, light olefins, and aromatics. Factors that impact the conversion, selectivity, product yield, and energy efficiencies are discussed to provide new insights into designing electrochemical cells, developing electrode materials, and achieving economically viable chemical synthesis. The primary challenges associated with producing chemicals in PCECs are highlighted. Approaches to tackle these challenges are then offered, with a particular focus on deliberately designing electrode materials, aiming to achieve practically valuable product yield and energy efficiency. Finally, perspectives on the future development of PCECs for synthesizing sustainable chemicals are provided.
CH 4 -fueled metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (CH 4 -MS-SOFCs) are propitious as CH 4 is low-priced and readily available, and its renewable production is possible, such as biomethane. However, the current CH 4 -MS-SOFCs suffer from either poor power density or short durable operation, which is ascribed to the low catalytic activity and poor coking tolerance of the metallic anode support. Herein, we have deliberately designed and synthesized a highly active nanocomposite catalyst, Sm-doped CeO 2supported Ni, as the internal steam methane reforming catalyst, to optimize CH 4 -MS-SOFCs. Both power densities and durability of optimized CH 4 -MS-SOFCs have been dramatically enhanced compared to the pristine CH 4 -MS-SOFCs. The optimized CH 4 -MS-SOFCs deliver the highest performances among all zirconia-based CH 4 -MS-SOFCs. Furthermore, the operating temperature has been reduced to 600 °C. At 600 °C, a viable peak power density of >350 mW/cm 2 is achieved, which is more than three times as high as the pristine CH 4 -MS-SOFCs. Furthermore, the optimized CH 4 -MS-SOFC achieves >1000 h of stable operation.
Power generation from electrochemical devices based on solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is in great demand for both stationary and automotive applications to achieve carbon neutrality goals by 2050. In particular, SOFCs are known for their fuel-flexible operations; for example, SOFCs can operate on simple and complex renewable fuels (such as ethanol, natural gas, jet fuel, propane, etc.). Unlike H2-based fuel cells, liquid and hydrocarbon fuels in SOFCs adopt the existing fuel infrastructure and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions significantly. This article presents the potential of using metal-based SOFCs (metal cells) as highly performing and durable power generators. The metal cells technology could be the most accessible solution for using SOFCs for versatile industrial needs.
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