Development of High Performance Intermediate Temperature Proton-Conducting Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells

Steam electrolysis by solid oxide fuel cell technology, known as SOEC, is considered one of the most efficient and cost effective options for hydrogen production from renewable sources. By using proton-conducting electrolyte, the SOEC operating temperature can be reduced from over 800oC to below 600oC due to higher conductivity and lower activation energy. Technical barriers associated with the conventional oxygen-ion conducting SOECs, such as hydrogen separation from water, oxidation of steam electrode, and instability of oxygen electrode, can be largely mitigated. In this report, an intermediate temperature (500-600oC) electrolysis technology was developed where a novel proton-conductor and a triple-conducting oxide were used as the electrolyte and oxygen electrode, respectively. The electrolysis cell demonstrated excellent performance at intermediate temperatures, promising a new prospective for next-generation steam electrolysis.