Mechanical degradation of Solid Oxide Cells: impact of operating and failure modes on the performances

Topic description

Context and problematic

Solid oxide cells (SOCs) are electrochemical devices operating at high temperature that can directly convert fuel into electricity (fuel cell mode – SOFC) or electricity into fuel (electrolysis mode – SOEC). In recent years, the interest on SOCs has grown significantly thanks to their wide range of technological applications that could provide innovative solutions to decarbonize industry [1]. Nevertheless, the large-scale industrialization of this technology is still hindered by the durability of SOCs.

The SOCs are typically composed of a dense electrolyte made of Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) sandwiched between two porous electrodes. The so-called ‘hydrogen’ electrode, where the steam is reduced in electrolysis mode, is classically made of a cermet of nickel and YSZ (Ni-YSZ), while the oxygen electrode is a Mixed Ionic Electronic Conductor (MIEC). Aside from all the degradation phenomena activa...