High Temperature Solid Oxide Cells

About this Research Topic

Background

Solid oxide cells (SOCs) are electrochemical energy converters that can operate in two different modes with high efficiencies. In fuel cell mode (solid oxide fuel cell, SOFC), they directly convert chemical energyfrom various fuels into electricity, which is the electrochemical reaction of oxygen ions and fuels forming H₂O/CO₂ (or reaction of proton with oxygen forming H₂O) in a controlled manner. The opposite reaction mode, the splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen or reforming CO₂ into CO and O₂, is electrolysis (solid oxide electrolysis cell, SOEC). SOCs typically operate between 500°C - 900°C. These unit cells primarily consist with three components for the fundamental electrochemical reactions: an electrolyte as oxygen/proton conductor and two electrodes-the anode and the cathode for gas reactions. Moreover, interconnectors, sealants, and current collectors are mainly required to assemble single cells to stacks for large electricity generation or hydrogen production.

Solid oxide cells represent a logical choice for electricity or hydrogen generation due to their high efficiency, modularity, fuel flexibility (SOFC), capability of integrating heat and electricity from renewables and nuclear energy (SOEC) as well as being a grand energy storage option while operating under the reversible mode. SOC systems appear poised for commercialization, but widespread market acceptance/penetration will require continuous innovation of materials and system engineering to enhance unit performance, system lifetime and reduce cost. Development of novel materials for key components, and operation strategies optimization in SOC with modelling have attentions for durable operations, especially with deeper understanding of a variety of complicated physical, chemical, electrochemical, mechanical processes occurring inside SOCs. Therefore, the section will summarize the recent development of SOCs, scoping from material to system, from experimental to modelling, from performance improvement to degradation analysis/diagnosis. With the recent advances of SOCs, it is expected that the technology development will be accelerated, and commercial implementation will be promoted.

This Research Topic will investigate materials/stack/system/operation/modelling for various applications. Subjects of interest may include, but not limited to:

• Theory calculation, synthesis, and characterization of emerging electrode/electrolyte materials
• Interconnect/Sealant/Current collector development
• SOFC/SOEC system operation or optimization
• Proton electrolyte development or SOC operation based on proton electrolytes
• System, stack or materials degradation analysis after long-term operation
• Reversible SOC system development, simulation or operation.

Keywords: solid oxide cell, fuel cell, electrode, proton electrolyte

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