High performance solid oxide electrolysis cell with impregnated electrodes

• A novel SOEC with impregnated electrodes and a metal support is prepared.
• Current density of 2.05 A cm− 2 is obtained at 800 °C and 1.3 V.
• The electrolytic performance with different steam content is investigated at 750 °C.

Here we report a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) employing impregnated electrodes. The cell structure consisted of a porous 430 L metal support, a Ni-Ce0.8Sm0.2O2 − δ (SDC) impregnated 430 L-zirconia stabilized zirconia (YSZ) hydrogen electrode, a scandia stabilized zirconia (SSZ) electrolyte and a Nd2O3-Nd2NiO4 + δ (Nd2O3-NNO) impregnated SSZ oxygen electrode. The cell is prepared by tape casting, co-firing and impregnation techniques. At an applied voltage of 1.3 V and 50% steam content, current density of 2.05 A cm− 2 is obtained at 800 °C. The effect of the variation of H2O/H2 ratio (3/97 to 70/30) on electrolysis performance at 750 °C is evaluated and the long-term stability in electrolysis mode is also investigated.