A self-assembled composited cathode coated with dual-exsolved core–shell FeNi@FeO_x nanoparticles as efficient CO₂ reduction electrocatalysts

Solid oxide electrolytic cells (SOECs) enable efficient electrochemical reduction of CO₂ into CO, providing a sustainable solution for greenhouse gas mitigation. Nevertheless, the scarcity of stable and highly active cathode materials for the real application of SOECs is a serious challenge. Herein, a novel self-assembled composed cathode of Ni co-doped (Pr_0.5Sr_0.5)_0.95Fe_0.9Nb_0.1O_3-δ-Gd_0.1Ce_0.9O_2-δ (PSFNNb-GDC) is proposed as an efficient CO₂ electrolysis. The NiFe/FeO_x nanoparticles with a core–shell structure are uniformly deposited onto the surface of the PSFNNb-GDC cathode. La_0.8Sr_0.2Ga_0.8Mg_0.2O_3-δ (LSGM)-based single cell with NiFe/FeO_x@PSFNNb-GDC cathode achieve excellent performance (1.33 A cm⁻² at 850 °C@1.6 V) and stability (800 °C@1.2 V) in long-term operation. The performance enhancement original from increased surface oxygen vacancies and in situ formed FeNi@FeO_x core–shell nanoparticles. This research highlights the potential of rational structural design of SOECs cathode materials in advancing the field of CO₂ utilization.