Post-test analysis of electrode-supported solid oxide electrolyser cells

Abstract

Three solid oxide cells have been investigated after long-term high temperature electrolysis to explain the phenomena of accelerated degradation. These cells contain a Ni-YSZ cermet (Ni-yttria-stabilised-zirconia) as hydrogen electrode (cathode), yttria-stabilised-zirconia (YSZ) as electrolyte, Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O_1.9 (CGO) as diffusion barrier layer and La_0.58Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O₃ (LSCF) as oxygen electrode (anode). Cell 1, cell 2 and cell 3 were tested continuously at about 770 °C, with a current density of −1 A cm⁻² and 80 % H₂O of absolute humidity for 9000, 1770 and 1460 h, respectively. It was found that in cell 1, the degradation rate was about 2.2 % per 1000 h, in cell 2 the degradation rate increased to 3.4 % per 1000 h and in cell 3 the degradation rate was 2.6 % per 1000 h. The mode of cell degradation was also investigated as a function of the cell fabrication in the four layers system (anode/diffusion barrier layer/electrolyte/cathode). An intergranular fractured surface along the grain boundaries of the electrolyte, and the formation of porous structures throughout the thickness of the electrolyte were observed in cell 1. LSCF, as the oxygen electrode, showed compositional fluctuations with a changed perovskite composition and formation of cobalt oxide. This phenomenon reduces the electrical conductivity and, probably, also the catalytic properties. The hydrogen electrode did not show major changes in all the three cells tested. Cells 2 and 3 showed similar features as observed for cell 1, except the fact that they retained the electrolyte structure without intergranular fracture and formation of porosity after continuous testing for long duration.