Compatibility analysis of Ag and electrolyte materials for LT-SOFCs and LT-SOECs

The possibility of the use of Ag as the electrode material of low-temperature operating solid oxide fuel cells and low-temperature operating solid oxide electrolysis cells was researched by compatibility of Ag with electrolyte materials point of view. When a high anodic-potential (≥ 300 mV) is applied on a Ag electrode on a scandia-stabilized zirconia (ScSZ) electrolyte at 500 °C in dry O2, Ag particles were deposited along the ScSZ grain boundaries. The phenomenon was specific to the Ag electrode on the ScSZ electrolyte. Because the phenomenon causes the electrical short between the cathode and the anode during the long time use, Ag is not appropriate as the anode side electrode (catalytic electrode or the current collector electrode of the anode side) of the actual low-temperature operating solid oxide electrolysis cells.