Reversing and Repairing Microstructure Degradation in Solid Oxide Cells During Operation

The elevated operating temperature of solid oxide electrochemical cells (SOCs) can lead to long-term degradation of cell components due to instability of materials and microstructures. However, this unique possibility for microstructural changes to occur can also be advantageously exploited to counteract performance loss, by careful control of operating parameters and cell design. This paper describes four recently discovered methods of in situ reversal or repair of microstructure degradation: (1) The newest method is the elimination of severe electrolysis-induced degradation at high current density by reversible battery-like operation, cycling between electrolysis mode and fuel-cell mode. Also reported are new examples of beneficial effects of (2) redox cycling, (3) exsolution of nano-catalysts, and (4) high cathodic polarization, all of which can be used to maintain or even improve the activity of fuel-electrodes. Possible mechanisms behind these four phenomena are considered. The experimental results illustrate the promise of these strategies for enhancing SOC lifetime.