Self-Decorated MnO Nanoparticles on Double Perovskite Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Anode by in Situ Exsolution

Surface decorated electrocatalytic nanoparticles coupled with oxide materials can effectively improve the electrochemical catalytic properties in energy storage and conversion application, such as chemical processes, electrolysis, batteries, and fuel cells. Particularly, Mn rich simple perovskite-type R_0.5Ba_0.5MnO_3-δ (R = Pr and Nd) undergoes a phase transition to layered perovskite RBaMn₂O_5+δ at high temperature reduced condition. During this phase transition, the exsolution of MnO nanoparticles (MnO-NP) from the bulk layered perovskite NdBaMn₂O_5+δ is observed. For in-depth investigation on the exsolution of MnO, a layered NdBaMn₂O_5+δ thin film is fabricated with pulsed laser deposition and characterized by transmission electron microscopy. For the first time, this paper reports clear evidence of self-decorated MnO nanoparticles on a layered NdBaMn₂O_5+δ matrix via exsolution process and their electro catalytic effect in solid oxide fuel cells.