High temperature solid oxide electrolysis cell employing porous structured (La0.75Sr0.25)0.95MnO3 with enhanced oxygen electrode performance

An efficient steam electrolysis process for hydrogen production via a solid oxide electrolysis cell using porous network-like strontium doped lanthanum manganite (LSM)-yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as the oxygen electrode material has been demonstrated. The porous network-like LSM powder was prepared by a nitrate–glycine combustion method. Impedance spectra and voltage-current density curves were measured as a function of cell current density and absolute humidity at 800 °C and 900 °C to characterize the cell performance. The cell area specific resistance (ASR) was 0.26 Ω cm2 at 900 °C with 0.5 A/cm2 current density and 50% absolute humidity (AH). The hydrogen production rate calculated from the Faraday's law was 362 ml/cm2 h at 900 °C with 80 vol.% AH. The cell performance results indicate that the porous network-like LSM–YSZ is a promising oxygen electrode for high temperature electrolysis cells.