A Cantaloupe‐Rind‐Inspired Nanostructured Textile Catalyst for Enhanced and Recoverable Performance in High‐Temperature Electrochemical Cells

Abstract

Abstract Electrodes with a maximal active site density are critical for high‐performance high‐temperature electrochemical cells (HTECs). One widely employed approach involves the use of porous nanostructures with a high surface‐to‐volume ratio. However, their active site densities inevitably decrease owing to particle aggregation induced at high temperatures, necessitating further development of electrode processing techniques. Taking Pt/yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ) interface as a model system, a Pt nanostructured textile akin to the cantaloupe‐rind pattern with high mechanical integrity is fabricated. Application of an AC voltage to this textile electrode at an elevated temperature reduces the Pt particle size from submicron to 10–80 nm forming a nanocomposite with YSZ, accompanied by a 40‐fold increase in current density under high‐temperature water electrolysis conditions. Furthermore, the AC voltage application to a partially aggregated electrode restores its nano‐blended structure associated with the recovery of its activity. This technique is effective in counteracting particle aggregation on demand, providing an alternative approach to achieve high performance and extended lifetimes in HTECs.

Keywords

• electrical treatments
• in situ synthesis
• nanocomposite electrodes
• nanostructured textiles
• particle aggregation
• solid oxide electrolysis cells