Global warming and oil price volatility indicate an urgent need for sustainable energy solutions. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), noted for their high efficiency, fuel flexibility, and low environmental footprint, have been a focus of considerable research. This study examines approximately 30,100 Web of Science-indexed publications from 1990 to 2024 to reveal global trajectory, geographical disparities, institutional and author contributions, and emerging research priorities. Results show major geographical and institutional shifts. While early research was led by Europe, the United States, and Japan, China now leads in publication output (7,602 publications), whereas the United States maintains the highest citation impact (226,909). At the global collaboration scale, activity is concentrated across Asia, Europe, and North America, while Africa is under-represented. In terms of institutional performance, Forschungszentrum Jülich, DTU, USTC, and Imperial College London lead in productivity, with Imperial College and Caltech recording the highest citation impact. At the author level, Shao Zongping (Curtin University), Xia Changrong (University of Science and Technology of China) and Irvine, John T.S. (University of St Andrews) are the top three most influential based on total publications. Based on average citations per publication, Minh N. Q. (Honeywell International) ranked top, followed by Singhal S. C. (Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering), Steele B. C. H. (Imperial College London), Mogensen M. B. (Technical University of Denmark), and Gorte R. J. (University of Pennsylvania). Keyword analysis reveals growing emphasis on system optimisation, computational modelling, and materials innovation. One of the notable advances is the use of proton-conductive perovskite cathodes, such as BaCo0.4Fe0.4Zr0.1Y0.1O3−δ (BCFZY), which possess superior oxygen-reduction kinetics, conductivity and stability under humidified conditions. Another important development is the application of proton-conducting electrolytes such as BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.1Yb0.1O3−δ (BZCYY) and oxide-ion conducting electrolytes such as La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O3−δ (LSGM) for intermediate-temperature operation. Similarly, Ni-free anodes such as Sr2MgMoO6−δ are gaining attention due to their high redox reversibility and fuel tolerance. Despite these advances, high costs, materials degradation, and limited global participation remain persistent barriers. Broader collaboration and cost-effective material design are vital to accelerate SOFC commercialisation and support future decarbonisation strategies.

Three decades of solid oxide fuel cell research: trends, challenges & future directions

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2026年2月9日

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Osaze Omoregbe,
Abarasi Hart,
Ifeanyichukwu D. Unachukwu,
Ebuwa Osagie,
Samuel Emebu,
Elimian Ehiaghe,
Mark Ogden

摘要

Global warming and oil price volatility indicate an urgent need for sustainable energy solutions. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), noted for their high efficiency, fuel flexibility, and low environmental footprint, have been a focus of considerable research. This study examines approximately 30,100 Web of Science-indexed publications from 1990 to 2024 to reveal global trajectory, geographical disparities, institutional and author contributions, and emerging research priorities. Results show major geographical and institutional shifts. While early research was led by Europe, the United States, and Japan, China now leads in publication output (7,602 publications), whereas the United States maintains the highest citation impact (226,909). At the global collaboration scale, activity is concentrated across Asia, Europe, and North America, while Africa is under-represented. In terms of institutional performance, Forschungszentrum Jülich, DTU, USTC, and Imperial College London lead in productivity, with Imperial College and Caltech recording the highest citation impact. At the author level, Shao Zongping (Curtin University), Xia Changrong (University of Science and Technology of China) and Irvine, John T.S. (University of St Andrews) are the top three most influential based on total publications. Based on average citations per publication, Minh N. Q. (Honeywell International) ranked top, followed by Singhal S. C. (Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering), Steele B. C. H. (Imperial College London), Mogensen M. B. (Technical University of Denmark), and Gorte R. J. (University of Pennsylvania). Keyword analysis reveals growing emphasis on system optimisation, computational modelling, and materials innovation. One of the notable advances is the use of proton-conductive perovskite cathodes, such as BaCo_0.4Fe_0.4Zr_0.1Y_0.1O_3−δ (BCFZY), which possess superior oxygen-reduction kinetics, conductivity and stability under humidified conditions. Another important development is the application of proton-conducting electrolytes such as BaZr_0.1Ce_0.7Y_0.1Yb_0.1O_3−δ (BZCYY) and oxide-ion conducting electrolytes such as La_0.8Sr_0.2Ga_0.8Mg_0.2O_3−δ (LSGM) for intermediate-temperature operation. Similarly, Ni-free anodes such as Sr₂MgMoO_6−δ are gaining attention due to their high redox reversibility and fuel tolerance. Despite these advances, high costs, materials degradation, and limited global participation remain persistent barriers. Broader collaboration and cost-effective material design are vital to accelerate SOFC commercialisation and support future decarbonisation strategies.