an electrolyzer cell is disclosed which includes a cathode to reduce an oxygen - containing molecule , such as h2o , co2 , or a combination thereof , to produce an oxygen ion and a fuel molecule , such as h2 , co , or a combination thereof . an electrolyte is coupled to the cathode to transport the oxygen ion to an anode . the anode is coupled to the electrolyte to receive the oxygen ion and produce oxygen gas therewith . in one embodiment , the anode may be fabricated to include an electron - conducting phase having a perovskite crystalline structure or structure similar thereto . this perovskite may have a chemical formula of substantially lax ) a ′ ybo , wherein 0 ≦ x ≦ 0 . 5 , 0 ≦ y ≦ 0 . 5 , and 0 . 8 ≦ z ≦ 1 . 1 . in another embodiment , the cathode includes an electron - conducting phase that contains nickel oxide intermixed with magnesium oxide .