Inorganic chemists have developed a fuel cell that uses the same material for both of its electrodes, offering the potential for simpler, cheaper cells than those currently using different materials. 

John Irvine and colleagues at the University of St Andrews, UK, have made a simple and effective fuel cell system that uses the same oxide material for both the anode and the cathode. 

The oxide electrode, which is a strontium- and chromium-doped lanthanum manganate  perovskite material, has a stable performance and good activity under oxidising conditions. It is stable as a cathode and cycles of reduction and oxidation do not affect the anode performance. This makes it possible to be used as both the cathode and anode in a symmetrical fuel cell. Irvine said that such a simple cell would have a much-reduced processing cost.

Solid oxide fuel cells directly convert chemical energy to electrical energy, and are an efficient way to generate electricity. Constant demand for more efficient and durable fuel cells has led to a search for electrode materials with good redox stability.

The oxide electrode is a promising alternative to nickel-based electrodes. These are commonly used but are oxidised when cooling down or operating at high fuel consumption - preventing repeated cycling of the cell, which gives it a shorter lifetime.

Irvine hopes that the work will continue and produce fuel flexible cells that can run on liquefied petroleum gas and biofuels.

Ruth M Needham