Abstract: Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) represent next-generation energy sources with high energy conversion efciencies, low pollutant emissions, good fexibility with a wide variety of fuels, and excellent modularity suitable for distributed power generation. As an electrochemical energy conversion device, the SOFC's performance and reliability depend sensitively on the catalytic activity and stability of electrode materials. To date, however, the development of electrode materials and microstructures is still based largely on trial-and-error methods because of the inadequate understanding of electrode process mechanisms. Therefore, the identifcation of key descriptors/properties for electrode materials or functional heterogeneous interfaces, especially under in situ/operando conditions, may provide guidance for the design of optimal electrode materials and microstructures. Here, Raman spectroscopy is ideally suited for the probing and mapping of chemical species present on electrode surfaces under operating conditions. And to boost the sensitivity toward electrode surface species, the surfaceenhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technique can be employed, in which thermally robust SERS probes (e.g., Ag@SiO₂ core-shell nanoparticles) are designed to make in situ/operando analysis possible. This review summarizes recent progresses in the investigation of SOFC electrode materials through Raman spectroscopic techniques, including topics of early stage carbon deposition (coking), coking-resistant anode modifcation, sulfur poisoning, and cathode degradation. In addition, future perspectives for utilizing the in situ/operando SERS for investigations of other electrochemical surfaces and interfaces are also discussed.

Full-text：https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41918-018-0017-9

Key words: SOFC, Raman spectroscopy, Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), In situ, Operando