BaCe0.25Mn0.75O3-δ-a promising perovskite-type oxide for solar thermochemical hydrogen production

Solar-thermal based hydrogen production technologies employing two-step metal oxide water-splitting cycles are emerging as a viable approach to renewable and sustainable solar fuels. However, materials innovations that overcome thermodynamic constraints native to the current class of solar-thermal water splitting oxides are required to increase solar utilization and process efficiency. Lowering oxide thermal reduction temperature while maintaining high water-splitting favorability are important ways to enhance such performance metrics. Recent attention to perovskite-type oxides as an alternative to ceria, which is widely viewed as the state-of-the art redox material, is driven by demonstrated thermodynamic and structural tuning derived through engineered composition. Here we discuss the unique properties of BaCe0.25Mn0.75O3 (BCM) within the context of thermochemical water splitting materials. Firstly, BCM is a novel example of a line compound with B-site substitution of Mn by Ce. It also exhibits a polymorph phase transition during thermal reduction and yields nearly 3x more H-2 than ceria when reduced at lower temperature (1350 degrees C). More importantly, BCM exhibits faster oxidation kinetics and higher water-splitting favorability than SrxLa1-xMnyAl1-yO3 (x, y = 0.4, 0.6), which is a well-studied and popular Mn-based perovskite formulation. The unique properties manifested by BCM through engineered composition offer new pathways towards unlocking higher performing materials for solar thermochemical water splitting.