Reversible solid oxide cells: A scientometric review of research trends, key contributors, and emerging hotspots (2006–2025)

TY - JOUR

T1 - Reversible solid oxide cells

T2 - A scientometric review of research trends, key contributors, and emerging hotspots (2006–2025)

AU - Yang, Shuo

AU - Bello, Idris Temitope

AU - Zhang, Jihao

AU - Lin, Xuemei

AU - Zheng, Keqing

PY - 2026/9

Y1 - 2026/9

N2 - Reversible solid oxide cells (RSOCs) represent a critical high-temperature electrochemical technology for large-scale, long-duration energy storage, seamlessly bridging power-to-gas (P2G) and gas-to-power (G2P) dual-mode operations. This study delivers the first comprehensive scientometric review mapping the global RSOC research landscape from 2006 to 2025, quantitatively evaluating 556 core publications compiled from the Web of Science database using VOSviewer. Bibliometric modeling reveals a highly collaborative and rapidly expanding domain. Quantitatively, the field is dominated by China (249 publications, 5141 citations) and the United States (75 publications, 2425 citations) at the national level. Disciplinary distribution mapping indicates that Energy Fuels (331 publications), Electrochemistry (213 publications), and Chemistry Physical (195 publications) constitute the core pillars, with a prominent post-2020 paradigm shift expanding aggressively into chemical engineering, thermodynamics, and green sustainable technologies. The structural and thematic evolution reveals a clear trajectory moving along a "materials–stack–system–application" hierarchy. Specifically, research has advanced from micro-scale phenomenological degradation studies of oxygen electrodes and Ni-YSZ activation-passivation behaviors, to the design of inherently tolerant material architectures—such as symmetric perovskite cells and intermediate-temperature proton conductors—and ultimately to macro-scale system engineering capable of achieving over 72–80% round-trip efficiency via exothermic-endothermic thermal coupling. Emerging hotspots emphasize advanced dynamic mode-switching diagnostics and zero-carbon "Power-to-Ammonia-to-Power" energy chains. This review decodes the intrinsic scientific knowledge structure of the RSOC field, outlines a strategic roadmap to address durability bottlenecks, and provides critical guidance for future academic topic selection and funding allocation.

AB - Reversible solid oxide cells (RSOCs) represent a critical high-temperature electrochemical technology for large-scale, long-duration energy storage, seamlessly bridging power-to-gas (P2G) and gas-to-power (G2P) dual-mode operations. This study delivers the first comprehensive scientometric review mapping the global RSOC research landscape from 2006 to 2025, quantitatively evaluating 556 core publications compiled from the Web of Science database using VOSviewer. Bibliometric modeling reveals a highly collaborative and rapidly expanding domain. Quantitatively, the field is dominated by China (249 publications, 5141 citations) and the United States (75 publications, 2425 citations) at the national level. Disciplinary distribution mapping indicates that Energy Fuels (331 publications), Electrochemistry (213 publications), and Chemistry Physical (195 publications) constitute the core pillars, with a prominent post-2020 paradigm shift expanding aggressively into chemical engineering, thermodynamics, and green sustainable technologies. The structural and thematic evolution reveals a clear trajectory moving along a "materials–stack–system–application" hierarchy. Specifically, research has advanced from micro-scale phenomenological degradation studies of oxygen electrodes and Ni-YSZ activation-passivation behaviors, to the design of inherently tolerant material architectures—such as symmetric perovskite cells and intermediate-temperature proton conductors—and ultimately to macro-scale system engineering capable of achieving over 72–80% round-trip efficiency via exothermic-endothermic thermal coupling. Emerging hotspots emphasize advanced dynamic mode-switching diagnostics and zero-carbon "Power-to-Ammonia-to-Power" energy chains. This review decodes the intrinsic scientific knowledge structure of the RSOC field, outlines a strategic roadmap to address durability bottlenecks, and provides critical guidance for future academic topic selection and funding allocation.

KW - Reversible solid oxide cell (RSOC)

KW - Electrochemical energy storage

KW - Scientometric review

KW - Power-to-gas (P2G)

U2 - 10.1016/j.fub.2026.100190

DO - 10.1016/j.fub.2026.100190

M3 - Article

SN - 2950-2640

VL - 11

JO - Future Batteries

JF - Future Batteries

M1 - 100190

ER -