Redox Tolerant Fuel Electrode for Solid Oxide Electrochemical Cells and Stacks

A fuel electrode and systems containing the electrode are disclosed. A fuel electrode for use in a solid oxide electrochemical apparatus includes an electron conductor and an oxygen ion conductor. The electron conductor includes Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), and Magnesium oxide (MgO). The oxygen ion conductor includes doped Ceria. The fuel electrode includes a cermet current collector that also includes Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Magnesium oxide (MgO), and doped ceria. The current collector also includes metal that is less prone to oxidization, such as certain precious metals. A solid oxide electrochemical cell includes the fuel electrode, an oxygen electrode, and a power supply in operable communication with both electrodes. A method of operating the solid oxide electrochemical cell as either a solid oxide electrolysis cell or a solid oxide fuel cell includes reducing the fuel electrode, if it becomes oxidized, without having to dismantle or replace the fuel electrode.