Electroactive mesoporous yttria stabilized zirconia containing platinum ornickel oxide nanoclusters: A new class of solid oxide fuel cell electrode materials

The electroactivity of surfactant-templated mesoporous yttria stabilized zi rconia, containing nanoclusters of platinum or nickel oxide, is explored by alternating current (AC) complex impedance spectroscopy. The observed oxyg en ion and mixed oxygen ion-electron charge-transport behavior for these: m aterials, compared to the sintered-densified non-porous crystalline version s, is ascribed to the unique integration of mesoporosity and nanocrystallin ity within the binary and ternary solid solution microstructure. These attr ibutes inspire interest in this new class of materials as candidates for th e development of improved performance solid oxide fuel cell electrodes.