Advances in Nanostructured Electrodes for Solid Oxide Cells by Infiltration or Exsolution

Solid oxide cells (SOCs) are highly efficient and versatile devices capable of utilizing a variety of fuels, presenting promising solutions for energy conversion and renewable resource utilization. There is an urgent need for the strategic design of robust and high-efficiency materials to enhance both conversion and energy efficiencies before SOCs can be applied for large-scale industrial production. Nanocomposite electrodes, especially those fabricated through infiltration and metal nanoparticle exsolution, have emerged as highly active electrocatalytic materials that significantly improve the performance and durability of SOCs. This review systematically summarizes and analyzes recent advances in the nanoscale architecture of electrode materials fabricated via common nanoengineering strategies, including infiltration and in situ exsolution, with applications in CO2/H2O reduction, hydrocarbon electrochemical oxidation, solid oxide fuel cells, and reversible operation. Finally, this review highlights existing bottlenecks and promising breakthroughs in common nanotechnologies, aiming to provide useful references for the rational design of nanomaterials for SOCs.