Theoretical understanding of stability of the oxygen electrode in a proton-conductor based solid oxide electrolysis cell

Wang, Yudong; Marchetti, Barbara; Zhou, Xiao-Dong

doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.04.148

Theoretical understanding of stability of the oxygen electrode in a proton-conductor based solid oxide electrolysis cell

Journal Article · Wed May 17 00:00:00 EDT 2023 · International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.04.148· OSTI ID:2418802

^[1]; Marchetti, Barbara ^[2]; Zhou, Xiao-Dong ^[2]

Univ. of Louisiana, Lafayette, LA (United States); OSTI
Univ. of Louisiana, Lafayette, LA (United States)

The oxygen electrode in a proton-conductor based solid oxide cells is often a triple-conducting material that enables the transport and exchange of electrons (e^-), oxygen ions (O^2-), and protons (H⁺), thus expanding active areas to enhance the oxygen electrode activity. In this work, a theoretical model was developed to understand stability of tri-conducting oxygen electrode by studying chemical potentials of neutral species (i.e., μ_o₂, μ_H₂, and μ_H₂O) as functions of transport properties, operating parameters, and cell geometry. Our theoretical understanding shows that (1): In a conventional oxygen-ion based solid oxide cell, a high μ_o₂ (thus high oxygen partial pressure) exists in the oxygen electrode during the electrolysis mode, which may lead to the formation of cracks at the electrode/electrolyte interface. Further, while in a proton-conductor based solid oxide cell, the μ_o₂ is reduced significantly, suppressing the crack formation, and resulting in improved performance stability (2). In a typical proton-conductor based solid oxide electrolyzer, the dependence of μ_o₂ on the Faradaic efficiency is negligible. Hence, approaches to block the electronic current can improve the electrolysis efficiency while achieving stability (3). The difference of the μ_o₂ (thus p_o₂) between the oxygen electrode and gas phase can be reduced by using higher ionic conducting components and improving electrode kinetics, which lead to further improvement of electrode stability.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Univ. of Louisiana, Lafayette, LA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Advanced Manufacturing Office; USDOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FE), Office of Carbon Management

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0009421; FE0032110

OSTI ID:: 2418802

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1995600

Journal Information:: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Journal Name: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy Journal Issue: 81 Vol. 48; ISSN 0360-3199

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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08 HYDROGEN
Electrode stability
Electrolyzer
Oxygen chemical potential
Proton conductor
Triple conducting electrode

Theoretical understanding of stability of the oxygen electrode in a proton-conductor based solid oxide electrolysis cell

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