High Selective deNO x Electrochemical Cell with Self-Assembled Electro-Catalytic Electrode

A new family of electrochemical cells for decomposition of NO gas in the presence of excess O₂, in which the cathode was covered with mixed oxide layer of NiO and YSZ (electro-catalytic electrode) were designed and investigated. The deNO_x properties were increased by microstructural and compositional control of the electro-catalytic electrode. Nano-size Ni grains were self-assembled at NiO/YSZ interfaces by oxidation-reduction reaction of the NiO during the cell operation. In order to use the reduced Ni for NO decomposition reaction effectively, the authors investigated multilayering of the electro-catalytic electrode. Through this process, the adsorption of coexisting O₂ was prevented and the deNO_x properties of the electrochemical cell were improved.