Metal-supported solid oxide electrolysis cells (MS-SOECs) with symmetric cell architecture were developed for high temperature electrolysis at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). The cell is comprised of a thin ceramic electrolyte and porous electrode backbones sandwiched between stainless steel metal supports. MS-SOECs offer a number of advantages over conventional all-ceramic SOECs due to their low-cost structural materials (e.g. stainless steel), mechanical ruggedness, excellent tolerance to redox cycling, and extremely fast start-up capability. Cells with different catalyst materials were tested in the temperature range from 650 to 800 °C, with steam content varying from 3 to 75 vol.%. Performance of the MS-SOECs was characterized by voltage-current and impedance spectroscopy measurements. By optimizing the catalyst materials selection and their infiltration strategies/processes, excellent electrolysis performance was obtained, with measured current densities of -5.31 A/cm2 at 800 °C and -2.64 A/cm2 at 700 °C, 1.3 V, and 50 vol.% steam content. Cells have been operated continuously for 200 h. The primary degradation mechanisms are currently being ascribed to the Cr poisoning on catalyst, oxidation of supported metal, and catalyst coarsening.

Performance and degradation of metal-supported solid oxide electrolysis cells with infiltrated catalysts

2019 Fall National Meeting

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