Mitigation of the delamination of LSM anode in solid oxide electrolysis cells using manganese-modified YSZ

Manganese-modified yttria-stabilized zirconia (Mn-YSZ) has been used to suppress interfacial degradation and anode delamination during short term (∼200 h) electrochemical testing of solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC). Two fabrication methods have been used for YSZ surface modification: solid state diffusion of manganese into YSZ substrate and sol–gel coating of a Mn-YSZ layer on YSZ substrate. Both the solid state diffusion and sol–gel coating methods stabilized the electrical performance; however, anode delamination was mitigated only by the sol–gel method. Post-test analysis indicates reduction in the formation of lanthanum zirconate on the Mn-modified electrolyte surface. It is proposed that the presence of the porous sol–gel coating prevents high pressure oxygen build up and results in the mitigation of the anode delamination.