Ceria-based Cathodes for High Performance Electrolysis Cells

• Applicant: Professor Marc Georg Willinger, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials ; Computer-Aided Design of Materials and Simulation of Materials Behaviour from Atomic to Microscopic Scale
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 530916363

High-temperature H2O and CO2 splitting will play a key role for a sustainable energy supply. Solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) with ceria-based cathodes offer the potential of highest performance and stability, especially in CO2 electrolysis. Target-oriented development of high performing and long-term stable ceria- based SOEC cathodes requires an in-depth understanding of the highly complex interplay between the materials’ electro-catalytic activity, interface reactions, and mechanical behaviour as well as their relevance for the 3D microstructure of porous electrodes. Therefore, we propose an interdisciplinary project connecting basic research in electrochemistry and in-situ analytics, materials processing microstructure analysis, and materials modelling.This methodologically broad strategy is the distinctive strength of this proposal and will allow disentangling and thus understanding the complex interplay of microstructural, mechanical, and electrochemical properties and their relevance for processing of ceria-based SOEC cathodes. As a result, we will obtain the entire knowledge required for a novel generation of electrochemically highest performing fuel electrodes, with low longterm degradation and coking susceptibility, as well as high mechanicalstability.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Austria, Switzerland
• Cooperation Partners: Dr. Jan Van Herle; Dr. Andreas Nenning; Professor Dr. Alexander Opitz