Application of CeO₂-based Materials in Composite Cathode for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Lowering the working temperature of solid oxide fuel cells is an inevitable trend for their commercialization. The increase in polarization resistance of cathode caused at reduced temperature is the key problem that should be solved urgently. In the application of composite cathode, CeO₂-based materials have two roles as “electrolyte” and “cathode”, which can not only increase the conductivity of oxygen ions, extend the three-phase interface, adjust the thermal expansion coefficient of cathode, but also accelerate the cathodic oxygen reduction reaction as a synergistic catalyst. The research progress of CeO₂-based materials in promoting cathodic oxygen reduction reaction is reviewed, in which their synergistic catalytic mechanism is analyzed and the design and development of cathode materials for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells are discussed.