Fundamental materials engineering of robust solid oxide electrolysis cells for terrestrial and space applications.

Authors

Robert Price, Alice Sabey, John T S Irvine

Published in

Faraday discussions. Nov 12, 2026. Epub Nov 12, 2026.

Abstract

In this work, a brief summary of the benefits of integrating Rh/Ce_1-xGd_xO_2-δ (CGO)-impregnated LSCT_A- fuel electrode active layers into commercial standard solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) is provided, before presenting results pertaining to the optimisation of air electrode layers and high-conductivity perovskite electrode current collection layers, which better match the performance and stability of this novel fuel electrode. Firstly, results from solid-oxide electrochemical oxygen pump testing confirmed that 'traditional' (La_0.80Sr_0.20)_0.95MnO₃ (LSM)- and La_0.60Sr_0.40CoO₃ (LSC)-based air electrodes exhibit rapid degradation during oxygen evolution. Replacement with Pr₆O₁₁-impregnated CGO layers, employing LSM and La_0.95Ni_0.60Fe_0.40O₃ (LNF) as current collectors, significantly improved the durability and oxygen pumping capability of these membranes (for use in a wide variety of applications on Earth and in space). Secondly, alternative fuel electrode current collectors (to Ni(O) layers) were investigated through synthesis, characterisation and electrical testing of a series of La_0.90Mn_0.95X_0.05O₃ compositions (where X = Ni, Fe, Cu or Ti). The La_0.90Mn_0.95Ti_0.05O₃ (LMT_A-) composition showed the highest stability of 'effective' electrical conductivity in N₂ (p(O₂) ∼10^-5 atm) and 5% H₂/95% N₂ (p(O₂) = 10^-18-10^-19 atm) and was deemed suitable for testing as a fuel-side current collector in SOEC mode. Finally, durability test data for SOECs utilising these optimised air and fuel-side material sets, using a pure carbon dioxide fuel gas, will highlight the system-scale benefits of addressing stability through engineering of electrode materials at nanoscales, for energy conversion technology applications on Earth and in space.

PMID:
43018231
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 12 Nov 2026.

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