Deciphering the enhanced oxygen reduction reaction activity of PrBa0.5Sr0.5Co1.5Fe0.5O5+δ via constructing negative thermal expansion offset for high-performance solid oxide fuel cell

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are one of the most efficient energy conversion devices. However, the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics at low temperatures significantly challenge the performance and commercialization of SOFCs. Introducing negative expansion coefficient materials has been recognized as an effective approach to enhancing the ORR catalytic properties, but a clear understanding of this enhanced electrochemical performance is still lacking. In this work, the composite cathode of PrBa0.5Sr0.5Co1.5Fe0.5O5+delta(PBSCF) with different amounts of negative-thermal-expansion material Sm0.85Zn0.15MnO3 (SZM) is prepared, and in-depth analysis the effect of SZM on the catalytic activity of cathodic ORR is systematically investigated. Simultaneously, the mechanistic studies verify that the enhanced ORR activity might be attributed to the constructed compression strain during sintering, which significantly improves the adsorption, dissociation, and oxygen ion exchange process of the PBSCF cathode.