Energy Storage Science and Technology

   

Research progress on material and structural optimization of solid oxide electrolyzer cells

Haotian YAO1(), Shanzhi DONG1, Yang HAO2, Qinsi SHAO1, Yang LIU1(), Yufeng ZHAO1, Jiujun ZHANG1,3   

  1. 1.College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444
    2.China Coal Tianjin Design and Engineering Co. , Ltd. , Tianjin 300120
    3.College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fujian Fuzhou, 350108
  • Received:2025-07-24 Revised:2025-08-25
  • Contact: Yang LIU E-mail:yht844676278@shu.edu.cn;yangliu45@shu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs), as a new generation of high-temperature electrochemical energy conversion devices, have been demonstrated to great advantages in the fields of distributed energy storage and renewable energyutilization due to the efficient conversion of electrical energy to chemical energy. Also, SOEC can be effectively integrated with photovoltaic or solar thermal systems, facilitating the flexible transformation of intermittent electrical energy into storable and transportable hydrogen energy. Furthermore, SOECs possess the capability to co-electrolyze CO2 and H2O, enabling the efficient conversion of greenhouse gases into clean fuels such as methanol and methane through chemical chain conversion processes, thereby establishing a cascading resource utilization system referred to as the "electricity-hydrogen-chemicals" framework. This paper provides a systematic overview of the thermodynamic foundations and structural characteristics of SOECs, with particular emphasis on recent advances in fuel electrodes, oxygen electrodes, and electrolyte materials. It also examines the current challenges confronting SOEC technologies and summarizes improvement strategies related to electrode material development, cell architecture, flow field optimization, and thermal management. The potential development pathways for SOECs in the areas of co-electrolysis and the developing of low-carbon energy system.

Key words: solid oxide electrolysis cells, co-electrolysis of CO2/H2O, electrode materials, cell architecture

CLC Number: