Electrospun Nanofiber-Based Perovskite Cathodes for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: A Review

Abstract

Recent studies have concentrated on creating alternative energy sources that are safe, affordable, efficient, eco-friendly, and sustainable due to the growing concerns over climate change and the depletion of fossil fuel reserves. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are acknowledged for their high efficiency and environmentally friendly nature, offering low or zero emissions, and demonstrate significant potential for use in distributed power generation, emergency power supplies, and combined heat and power systems. It has been stated that using nanofiber materials as cathodes is a highly feasible way to improve the efficiency of SOFCs. Nanofibers are sophisticated materials commonly used in fuel cell applications due to their outstanding properties, such as large surface area, porosity, and intrinsic structure, which promote the formation of interconnected networks. Studies have shown that nanofibers can enhance fuel cell performance by improving catalytic activity, minimizing electrochemical degradation, and ensuring greater stability during repeated operational cycles. This review paper begins with brief introductory information about SOFCs, commonly used cathode materials, and the electrospinning technique. It then provides an in-depth examination of current advancements in utilizing electrospun perovskite nanofibers as cathodes for SOFCs, emphasizing how various nanofiber configurations influence cell performance. This perspective also explores methods for fabricating nanofiber-based heterostructured cathodes and their role in addressing efficiency-related challenges in SOFCs. In addition, we discuss the key challenges and future prospects associated with the application of electrospun perovskite nanofibers in these systems.