Cathode development for solid oxide electrolysis cells for high temperature hydrogen production
Abstract
This study has been mainly focused on high temperature solid oxide electrolysis
cells (HT-SOECs) for steam electrolysis. The compositions, microstructures and metal
catalysts for SOEC cathodes based on (La₀.₇₅Sr₀.₂₅)₀.₉₅Mn₀.₅Cr₀.₅O₃ (LSCM) have been
investigated. Hydrogen production amounts from SOECs with LSCM cathodes have
been detected and current-to-hydrogen efficiencies have been calculated. The effect of
humidity on electrochemical performances from SOECs with cathodes based on
LSCM has also been studied.
LSCM has been applied as the main composite in HT-SOEC cathodes in this study.
Cells were measured at temperatures up to 920°C with 3%steam/Ar/4%H₂ or
3%steam/Ar supplied to the steam/hydrogen electrode. SOECs with LSCM cathodes
presented better stability and electrochemical performances in both atmospheres
compared to cells with traditional Ni cermet cathodes. By mixing materials with
higher ionic conductivity such as YSZ(Y₂O₃-stabilized ZrO₂ ) and
CGO(Ce₀.₉Gd₀.₁O₁.₉₅ ) into LSCM cathodes, the cell performances have been
improved due to the enlarged triple phase boundary (TPB).
Metal catalysts such as Pd, Fe, Rh, Ni have been impregnated to LSCM/CGO
cathodes in order to improve cell performances. Cells were measured at 900°C using
3%steam/Ar/4%H₂ or 3%steam/Ar and AC impedance data and I-V curves were
collected. The addition of metal catalysts has successfully improved electrochemical
performances from cells with LSCM/CGO cathodes.
Improving SOEC microstructures is an alternative to improve cell performances.
Cells with thinner electrolytes and/or better electrode microstructures were fabricated
using techniques such as cutting, polishing, tape casting, impregnation, co-pressing and
screen printing. Thinner electrolytes gave reduced ohmic resistances, while better
electrode microstructures were observed to facilitate electrode processes.
Hydrogen production amounts under external potentials from SOECs with
LSCM/CGO cathodes were detected by gas chromatograph and current-to-hydrogen
efficiencies were calculated according to the law of conservation of charge.
Current-to-hydrogen efficiencies from these cells at 900°C were up to 80% in
3%steam/Ar and were close to 100% in 3%steam/Ar/4%H₂.
The effect of humidity on SOEC performances with LSCM/CGO cathodes has
been studied by testing the cell in cathode atmospheres with different steam contents
(3%, 10%, 20% and 50% steam). There was no large influence on cell performances
when steam content was increased, indicating that steam diffusion to cathode was not
the main limiting process.
Type
Thesis, PhD Doctor of Philosophy
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