Current-Voltage (i-V) characteristics of electrolyte-supported (NiO-YSZ/NiO-SDC/ScSZ/LSCF-GDC/LSCF) solid oxide electrolysis cell during CO2/H2O co-electrolysis

Solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) stabilize CO2 emissions by converting CO2/H2O into synfuel. Current-Voltage (i-V) characteristics of an electrolyte-supported button cell (NiO-YSZ/NiO-SDC/ScSZ/LSCF-GDC/LSCF) were measured as a function of temperature, water vapor concentration, and CO2 gas concentrations. The cell microstructure was characterized by the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM). FE-SEM micrographs depict that the electrolyte layer is relatively dense, and porous fuel and air electrode layers are well adhered to the electrolyte. The i-V curves were obtained at a scan rate of 0.02 Vs−1 from 0.3 to 1.5 V. Electrolysis current density increases as the temperature increases. SOEC performance increases, but SOFC performance decreases with increased water vapor concentration. Electrolysis current densities decrease as the CO2 concentration increases. The i-V characteristics show only ohmic polarization under fuel-lean and fuel-rich conditions. At optimal conditions, current density values at 800 °C/1.5 V are -174, -187, and -195 mA cm−2 for 5%H2O, 30%CO2, and 30%CO2/5%H2O co-electrolysis. At 800 °C, open-circuit voltage (OCV) values for H2O, CO2, and co-electrolysis are 0.906, 0.891, and 0.885 V, respectively. The electrolysis area-specific resistances (ASRs) give information on the reduction of CO2 or H2O, forming CO or H2, respectively. At optimal conditions, ASR values are 3.43, 3.29, and 3.18 Ω cm2 for H2O, CO2, and co-electrolysis, respectively. Co-electrolysis has a lower ASR value than pure H2O and CO2 electrolysis, indicating that H2O and CO2 are involved in the electrochemical processes.