Increasing catalytic activity of the Solid Oxide Electrolysers for electrosplitting of CO2/H2O by addition of affordable and eco-friendly ca

Recently, Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOECs) can be considered a solution for the elimination of atmospheric CO2 and limiting its negative environmental impact. In this study a series of novel alterations were introduced into the structure of conventional SOEC based on standard Ni-YSZ steam electrode. Single cells were enriched with transition metals (Cu, Mn, Co, Fe, Zn) as well as non-toxic and affordable alkaline metal oxide promoters, namely K, Na, Rb, and Mg. A series of preliminary catalytic tests revealed great increase in the activity towards CO2 reduction while performing co-electrolysis of the CO2/H2O mixture despite of relatively small amount of the additives. This proposal involves XAFS (ESRF), that was selected to find the causes of the sudden catalytic enhancement. The technique will involve in-situ or quasi in-situ measurements of chemical surroundings of the transition metals and alkaline promoters under reactants atmosphere and elevated temperature.