LaPrNiO 4+δ nano-columnar thin films as oxygen electrodes for reversible solid oxide cells

This work explores the potential of La 1-x Pr x NiO 4+δ thin films fabricated by Pulsed Injection Metal-Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (PI-MOCVD) as oxygen electrodes for low-temperature solid oxide cells (LT-SOCs). La 1-x Pr x NiO 4+δ materials, offer promising mixed ionic and electronic conductivity, and high oxygen reduction reaction kinetics. In this study, we focus on the microstructural and electrochemical properties of LaPrNiO 4+δ (LPNO) thin films deposited at various temperatures (600–650 °C), revealing that a two-temperature deposition process yields nano-architectured films with a dense bottom film and a porous nano-columnar top layer of the same material. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and electrical conductivity relaxation (ECR) experiments demonstrate enhanced surface exchange coefficients compared to bulk LaPrNiO 4+δ and La2NiO 4+δ and high performance, with polarization resistances as low as 0.10 Ω·cm² at 600 °C and 1.00 at 500 °C. To better understand the electrochemical behaviour of these electrodes, we investigated the limiting mechanisms of oxygen reduction by analysing the kinetic response to varying oxygen partial pressures and performing detailed impedance analyses. These nano-columnar LPNO oxygen electrodes were also deposited on commercial half-cells, enabling the resulting full cells to operate successfully in both reversible solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and electrolysis cell (SOEC) modes, reaching a performance of 0.34 W cm² at 600 °C in SOFC mode. This work underscores the promise of LPNO thin films for efficient LT-SOCs while addressing challenges in durability and stability. Supplementary Material File (2025-02-28 lpno article_eem.docx) - Download - 262.07 KB Information & Authors Information Version history Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Collection

Authors Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 307views 235downloads Citations Download citation Silvère Panisset, Kosova Kreka, David Jauffres, et al. LaPrNiO 4+δ nano-columnar thin films as oxygen electrodes for reversible solid oxide cells. Authorea. 02 March 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174094397.73639984/v1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174094397.73639984/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.