Bimetallic electrocatalysts for Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells - intermetallic synergy and structural alterations.

Solid Oxide Cells are promising candidates for the creation of smart grid systems that will maintain undisturbed energy flow, especially with a high share of renewable sources. The present proposal is dedicated to the structural analysis of the cermet-supported catalysts containing active centres made of metallic nanoparticles introduced via the conventional wet impregnation route, focusing on the intermetallic synergistic behavior between Ni and secondary metal. The transition metals were added into Ni/YSZ scaffold as a cost-effective alternative to noble metals. The introduction of a secondary promoter metal resulted in altered electrochemical and catalytic efficiency of the electrochemical devices from the SOCs family, especially when water/CO2 coelectrolysis mode is applied.The measurements of high-energy X-ray absorption K edges should reveal the relation between the Ni valence, type of secondary metal added, and the oxidation states within new intermetallic phases itself.