Study of symmetric electrodes in solid oxide cells in co-electrolysis mode

The goal of this project is to improve the efficiency and durability of the current solid oxide electrolyser cells (SOEC). SOEC technology allows energy storage produced by renewable sources in the form of hydrogen by water electrolysis. The same cell can operate in reverse mode producing energy that is as a fuel cell (SOFC). Particularly, in this project symmetric cells will be tested. Symmetric cells possess electrodes (cathode and anode) made with the same material. In this way, changing cyclically the activity of the electrode (from cathode to anode and vice versa, under SOEC operation) and changing cyclically the operation mode of the cell (SOFC/SOEC) it is expected to reverse partially microstructural degradation allowing a greater durability. Task 1: Fabrication and characterization of LSCM (La0.75Sr0.25Cr0.5Mn0.5O3) electrodes. LSCM is commercially available as a powder. Task 2: Initial electrochemical characterization of LSCM symmetric cells. According to the results, optimization of the cells. Task 3: Study of the durability of the symmetric cell by electrochemical and microstructural characterization (post-mortem microscopy). Study of the mechanisms that rule the effi