Large-area solid oxide cells with La_0.6Sr_0.4CoO_3-δ infiltrated oxygen electrodes for electricity generation and hydrogen production

Infiltration is an effective way to improve the performance of the oxygen electrode for solid oxide cells (SOCs). Most studies on infiltrated SOCs are carried out on button cells with a small active area. Here, we report on the preparation of large-area fuel-electrode-supported SOCs with a La0.6Sr0.4CoO3-δ (LSC) infiltrated gadolinia-doped ceria (CGO) oxygen electrode.

The electrochemical performance of the resulting SOCs is examined at 4 × 4 cm2 level (active area). The cell delivers a power density of 1.08 W cm−2 at 0.6 V and 750 °C in fuel cell mode with high fuel and oxygen utilization of 52 and 57%, respectively; in electrolysis mode, the current density reaches 1.07 A cm−2 at 1.3 V and 750 °C with a steam utilization of 60%.

Additionally, the influence of feed gas composition on cell performance and the short-term durability of the cell in electrolysis mode are studied. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results and the post-test microstructural characterization demonstrate that there is no visible degradation of the LSC infiltrated CGO oxygen electrode after the durability test.

These results highlight the potential of large-scale production of high-performance SOCs by designing nanostructured electrode via infiltration.