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Updated: Mar 18, 2026
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Probing and Mapping Electrode Surfaces in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Published on: September 20, 2012
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Operando X-ray Investigation of Electrode/Electrolyte Interfaces in Model Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Sergey Volkov1, Vedran Vonk2, Navid Khorshidi3
1Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany; Fachbereich Physik, Universität Hamburg, Jungiusstr. 9, 20355 Hamburg, Germany.
Chemistry of Materials : a Publication of the American Chemical Society
|June 28, 2016
Summary
Investigating solid oxide fuel cell interfaces with X-ray diffraction reveals yttrium segregation under reducing conditions and depletion under oxidizing conditions, impacting oxygen ion transport and fuel cell performance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Surface Science
Background:
- Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are promising energy conversion devices.
- Understanding the cathode-electrolyte interface is crucial for SOFC performance.
- Atomic-level insights into interfacial behavior are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the atomic structure and chemical composition of the buried cathode-electrolyte interface in a model SOFC.
- To determine how oxygen partial pressure and electrical polarization affect the interface.
- To correlate interfacial changes with oxygen ion transport properties.
Main Methods:
- Operando anomalous surface X-ray diffraction (ASXRD) with atomic resolution.
- Utilizing Y and Zr K-edge anomalous X-ray diffraction effects.
- Studying a yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte and La0.6Sr0.4CoO3-δ (LSC) electrode interface under varying conditions.
Main Results:
- Observed yttrium segregation to the YSZ/LSC interface under reducing conditions.
- Observed Y depletion at the interface under oxidizing conditions.
- Detected enhanced outward relaxation of YSZ interfacial metal ions and increased point defect concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Interfacial yttrium segregation/depletion significantly alters the YSZ/LSC interface structure and composition.
- Changes in interfacial composition are expected to strongly influence oxygen ion transport.
- These findings provide critical insights into SOFC interfacial mechanisms and performance limitations.
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