Promoting exsolution of RuFe alloy nanoparticles on Sr2Fe1.4Ru0.1Mo0.5O6−δ via repeated redox manipulations for CO2 electrolysis

Metal nanoparticles anchored on perovskite through in situ exsolution under reducing atmosphere provide catalytically active metal/oxide interfaces for CO2 electrolysis in solid oxide electrolysis cell. However, there are critical challenges to obtain abundant metal/oxide interfaces due to the sluggish diffusion process of dopant cations inside the bulk perovskite. Herein, we propose a strategy to promote exsolution of RuFe alloy nanoparticles on Sr2Fe1.4Ru0.1Mo0.5O6−δ perovskite by enriching the active Ru underneath the perovskite surface via repeated redox manipulations. In situ scanning transmission electron microscopy demonstrates the dynamic structure evolution of Sr2Fe1.4Ru0.1Mo0.5O6−δ perovskite under reducing and oxidizing atmosphere, as well as the facilitated CO2 adsorption at RuFe@Sr2Fe1.4Ru0.1Mo0.5O6−δ interfaces. Solid oxide electrolysis cell with RuFe@Sr2Fe1.4Ru0.1Mo0.5O6−δ interfaces shows over 74.6% enhancement in current density of CO2 electrolysis compared to that with Sr2Fe1.4Ru0.1Mo0.5O6−δ counterpart as well as impressive stability for 1000 h at 1.2 V and 800 °C.