Electrochemical Characteristics and Gas Composition Generated by La0.8Sr0.2Cr0.5Mn0.5O3-δ Cathode at Electrolysis and Co-Electrolysis Modes

Ceramic materials with perovskite structure have recently attracted attention as possible redox stable, sulfur- and carbon tolerant cathode materials for solid oxide electrolysis cells. In this study ceramic SOE single cell was fabricated using impregnation method. La0.8Sr0.2Cr0.5Mn0.5O3-delta-Zr0.94Sc0.06O2-delta cathode was activated with CeO2 and Pd nanoparticles and investigated as potential solid oxide co-electrolysis cell cathode at various working temperatures, cell potentials and inlet gas compositions. Based on the electrochemical measurements data the single cell performed the same in co-electrolysis and water electrolysis modes having total polarization resistance 0.52 Omega cm(2) (at 750 degrees C at 1.3 V). Analysis of gas chromatography data shows that the ratio between produced H-2 and CO gases decreased with increase of temperature, from 10.5 to 0.76 at 650 degrees C and 800 degrees C, respectively. Also the H-2/CO ratio decreased with steam content in inlet gas. (C) 2016 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.