Status and Outlook of Solid Oxide Cells for Hydrocarbon Fuel Conversion

Solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) has emerged as a key enabling technology for achieving carbon-neutral energy systems, owing to its high efficiency and intrinsic compatibility with renewable energy sources. To date, research has primarily focused on three major processes in SOEC: H₂O electrolysis, CO₂ electrolysis, and H₂O/CO₂ co-electrolysis. In contrast, the electrochemical conversion of hydrocarbon fuels, despite its significant potential for value-added chemical production, remains underexplored and lacks a comprehensive systematic review. This review addresses recent progress in SOEC-mediated hydrocarbon conversion, including H₂O/CO₂ co-electrolysis for syngas generation, methane-assisted electrolysis, and the electrochemical transformation of C₂H₄ and other hydrocarbons. Particular attention is given to the integration of SOEC with partial oxidation, dry reforming, and oxidative coupling of methane. The review first outlines the structure and key materials of SOEC. It then summarizes the reaction mechanisms, current progress, and major technical challenges associated with each conversion pathway. Finally, it analyzes how advances in electrode material design, reaction mechanism modulation, and reactor engineering influence SOEC performance and long-term durability. Several critical technical bottlenecks, including carbon deposition, electrode degradation, and limited selectivity, are identified. A forward-looking research roadmap is proposed to guide the scale-up and practical deployment of SOEC for sustainable hydrocarbon fuel conversion.