Sonochemistry in the service of SOFC research

• A novel sonoelectrochemical method of Au-NPs synthesis under constant sonication.
• Five mechanisms of Au-NPs formation via sonoelectrochemistry articulated.
• Synthesis of rhenium oxides NPs via sonochemistry.
• Sonochemical decoration of SOFC cermet powders with mixed oxides of Mo, Re and W.
• Sonochemical decoration of the like with mixed Au-NPs.

Decoration of SOFC anode cermets with metal nanoparticles (NPs) enchance their ability and stability in natural gas to hydrogen reform. A novel sonoelectrochemical approach of Au-NPs synthesis (mean 12.31 ± 2.69 nm) is suggested, according to which the sonication is held constant while the electrochemical activity is either pulsed or continuous. The gold colloidal solution is cosonicated with state of the art cermet powder to yield particles decorated with Au-NPs. Nevertheless sonochemical routes of mixed molybdenum, rhenium or tungsten mixed oxides synthesis are utilized in order to decorate SOFC anode cermets. The decoration loading achieved spanned from 0.1 to 10.0 wt.%.