Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026

In Situ Lithiated Reference Electrode: Four Electrode Design for In-operando Impedance Spectroscopy
Published on: September 12, 2018
Life testing of LSM-YSZ composite electrodes under reversing-current operation
Gareth A Hughes1, Kyle Yakal-Kremski, Scott A Barnett
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, 2220 Campus Dr., Evanston, IL 60208, USA. s-barnett@northwestern.edu.
Abstract:
Durability testing of solid oxide cell electrodes in reversing-current and constant-current operation modes is presented. (La0.8Sr0.2)0.98MnO3-δ-Zr0.84Y0.16O2-γ (LSM-YSZ) symmetric cells were tested at 800 °C in air with current densities of 0.5 and 1.5 A cm(-2), with current cycle periods of 1 and 12 h. A continuous increase in both ohmic and polarization resistance was observed, via Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), for cells tested with a reversing current of 1.5 A cm(-2), whereas cells tested at 0.5 A cm(-2) showed no measurable resistance increase. The resistance degradation was explained by delamination in the electrode, observed by post-test Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), near the interface with the electrolyte for the 1.5 A cm(-2) cells, but not for those tested at 0.5 A cm(-2). Current cycle period also impacted the degradation observed at 1.5 A cm(-2): both the rate of resistance increase and the extent of post-test delamination decreased on going from constant current mode to a 12 h period to a 1 h period. The results indicate that lower current densities and reversing-current operation are desirable to maximize the lifetime of solid oxide cells.
Related Concept Videos
Types of Reversible Electrodes
Electrochemical Cells
Potentiometry: Membrane Electrodes
Controlled-Potential Coulometry: Electrolytic Methods
The chosen potential ensures...
Potentiometry: Types of Electrodes
The Standard Hydrogen Electrode (SHE) is a widely used reference electrode that maintains zero potential across all temperatures. However, its need for a continuous hydrogen gas supply renders it impractical for everyday use.
An alternative to SHE is the Saturated Calomel Electrode (SCE). This electrode features an...
Controlled-Current Coulometry: Overview
