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Context and problematic

Solid oxide cells (SOCs) are electrochemical devices operating at high temperature that can directly convert fuel into electricity (fuel cell mode – SOFC) or electricity into fuel (electrolysis mode – SOEC). In recent years, the interest on SOCs has grown significantly thanks to their wide range of technological applications that could provide innovative solutions to decarbonize industry [1]. Nevertheless, the large-scale industrialization of this technology is still hindered by the durability of SOCs.

The SOCs are typically composed of a dense electrolyte made of Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) sandwiched between two porous electrodes. The so-called ‘hydrogen’ electrode, where the steam is reduced in electrolysis mode, is classically made of a cermet of nickel and YSZ (Ni-YSZ), while the oxygen electrode is a Mixed Ionic Electronic Conductor (MIEC). Aside from all the degradation phenomena activa...