High-performance porous metal-supported solid oxide electrochemical cells with a reduction shrinkage optimized NiFe-based support

The primary challenge for NiFe-supported cells arises from the substantial shrinkage of the ceramic support during the reduction and metallization process, when Fe2O3 and NiO serve as raw materials, often leading to deformation or cracking of the cell. To address this issue, a novel approach is introduced by incorporating MgO ceramic particles to mitigate the reduction shrinkage of the NiFe support. 10 wt% MgO reduces the reduction shrinkage from 12.64 % to a mere 0.48 %. The electrical conductivity of the NiFe-MgO support is on par with that of the conventional Ni-Zr0.92Y0.16O2-delta(Ni-YSZ) support, while its gas permeability is approximately two orders of magnitude greater, thereby lowering the gas diffusion impedance of the cell. At 800 degrees C, the NiFe-MgO supported cell achieves a peak power density of 2.3 W/cm2 and a limiting current exceeding 8.5 A/cm2 in fuel cell mode, compared to a peak power density of 1.8 W/cm2 and a limiting current of approximately 4.4 A/cm2 for a similar cell with Ni-YSZ support. In steam electrolysis mode, the NiFe-MgO supported cell attains a current density of 2.5 A/cm2 at 1.3 V and 800 degrees C in a 50 % H2O to 50 % H2 environment, marking a 39 % improvement over the Ni-YSZ supported cell.