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DOE OSTI · 3024372

Robust dynamic operation of high temperature electrolysis solid oxide cells

Zhu, Zhikuan [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)] (ORCID:000900011268680X)·Dzara, Michael J. [National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), Golden, CO (United States)] (ORCID:0000000181250586)·Slomski, Heather [National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), Golden, CO (United States); Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States)] (ORCID:0000000152553481)·Van Winkle, Madeline [National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), Golden, CO (United States)]·Hathaway, Oscar [National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), Golden, CO (United States)]·Nagle-Cocco, Liam A. V. [SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC), Menlo Park, CA (United States). Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL)] (ORCID:0000000192651588)·Strange, Nicholas A. [SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC), Menlo Park, CA (United States). Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL)]·Gorman, Brian P. [Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States)]·Shulda, Sarah [National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), Golden, CO (United States)] (ORCID:0000000189461249)·Tucker, Michael C. [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)] (ORCID:000000028508499X)
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Abstract

Here, this study evaluates the durability of Ni/YSZ-supported SOECs under dynamic operating conditions relevant to real-world applications. Systematic tests were conducted to assess cell performance under steam cycling (3 to 75% humidified H 2 ), mode cycling between SOFC and SOEC operation, thermal cycling (150 to 750 °C at OCV, and 600 to 800 °C at 1.3V), and redox cycling (between 50% humidified H 2 and 50% humidified N 2 ). Steam cycling, mode cycling, and thermal cycling at OCV do not significantly accelerate performance degradation. Thermal cycling at 1.3V caused minimal damage within 600 to 800 °C. Full redox cycling (multi-hour oxidation holds) induced cell structural failure, while partial redox cycling (0.5 h holds) was tolerated. Extensive characterization revealed some material evolution, namely Sr and Co secondary phase formation, within the oxygen electrode due to La 0.6 Sr 0.4 Co 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3-δ instability, especially for steam cycling and mode cycling. Minimal changes were identified within the Ni-YSZ fuel electrodes. These findings provide critical insights into SOEC reliability under dynamic conditions, supporting their application in dynamic or intermittent energy systems.

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08 HYDROGEN32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRYMicrostructure characterizationMode cyclingRedox cyclingSolid oxide electrolysisSteam cyclingThermal cyclingmicrostructure characterizationmode cyclingredox cyclingsolid oxide electrolysissteam cyclingthermal cycling

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Zhu, Zhikuan [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)] (ORCID:000900011268680X), Dzara, Michael J. [National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), Golden, CO (United States)] (ORCID:0000000181250586), Slomski, Heather [National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), Golden, CO (United States); Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States)] (ORCID:0000000152553481), Van Winkle, Madeline [National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), Golden, CO (United States)], Hathaway, Oscar [National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), Golden, CO (United States)], Nagle-Cocco, Liam A. V. [SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC), Menlo Park, CA (United States). Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL)] (ORCID:0000000192651588), Strange, Nicholas A. [SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC), Menlo Park, CA (United States). Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL)], Gorman, Brian P. [Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States)], Shulda, Sarah [National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), Golden, CO (United States)] (ORCID:0000000189461249), Tucker, Michael C. [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)] (ORCID:000000028508499X). 2026-03-03. Robust dynamic operation of high temperature electrolysis solid oxide cells. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2026.239770

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