Abstract:

High-temperature fuel cells, as highly efficient and clean electrochemical energy conversion devices, represent a kind of key technology for achieving “dual carbon” energy strategies. Their core appeal lies in the broad fuel adaptability, high energy conversion efficiency and stable all-solid-state structure. Fuel cells can utilize not only hydrogen as fuel but also directly employ diverse fuels such as hydrocarbons (e.g., natural gas, methanol) and ammonia, demonstrating excellent application flexibility and energy compatibility. Compared to conventional internal combustion engine power generation, high-temperature fuel cells directly convert chemical energy into electricity through electrochemical reactions, achieving power generation efficiencies exceeding 60%. Furthermore, by utilizing waste heat from the reaction process for combined heat and power generation, overall energy utilization efficiency can be elevated to over 80%. However, commercialization of high-temperature fuel cell technology remains intrinsically tied to a core challenge—key component materials. Specifically, developing component materials capable of long-term stable operation under harsh conditions of high temperatures is currently the bottleneck that restricts advancement of high-temperature fuel cells. Breakthroughs in this area will lay cornerstone for development of high-temperature fuel cell technology in the future.

Conventional high-temperature fuel cells rely on classic material systems such as yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolytes, nickel-YSZ metal-ceramic anodes, and lanthanum-strontium-manganese (LSM) oxide cathodes. These materials exhibit outstanding electrochemical activity and ionic conductivity under high-temperature conditions, providing a crucial foundation for achieving efficient energy conversion. However, as operating temperatures are reduced to the medium-to-low range (400-700 ℃), the oxygen ion migration rate and electrode reaction kinetics of conventional material systems significantly decline, markedly deteriorating the electrochemical performance of the cells. To enable the operation of high-temperature fuel cells at lower temperatures while maintaining efficiency and stability, researchers are actively developing novel electrolyte materials with high ionic conductivity and highly catalytically active electrode materials. This advancement aims to promote the widespread application of high-temperature fuel cell technology within next-generation energy systems.

At the invitation of the editorial board of Journal of Inorganic Materials, I served as a guest editor to organize and compile this topical section on “Key Materials for High-temperature Fuel Cells”. Renowned domestic research groups from institutions including Harbin Institute of Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Beijing Huairou Laboratory, and Wuhan Institute of Technology have dedicated themselves to analyzing the latest advances in fundamental research, preparation techniques, performance optimization, and mechanism studies concerning materials for high-temperature fuel cells.

This topical section is intended to provide researchers with a deeper understanding of high-temperature fuel cells, serving as a window into the latest developments within the field, and actively promoting advancement of materials for high-temperature fuel cells as well as progress in the discipline. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all experts who contributed to this topical section amidst their busy schedules. It is through their diligent efforts and generous support that this publication has come to fruition.