In the first 18 months the project has made substantial technical and scientific progress toward advancing solid oxide electrolysis cell, focusing on improving performance, durability, lowering operating temperature, and implementation of advanced deposition techniques.
A key achievement was the optimization of metal-supported cell architecture, where AISI 441 stainless steel was selected for its thermal and mechanical stability. Laser-drilled pores and tape-cast porous layers enabled efficient gas diffusion and strong adhesion of functional layers. Efforts to reduce degradation rates below 0.75%/1,000 hrs included the introduction of Ti-based mixed ionic-electronic perovskites on the fuel side, as well as on-going protective coatings development and optimization of microstructures of gas diffusion layers further contribute to durability.
The integration of selected Ln-doped ceria buffer layers via pulsed laser deposition significantly improved electrochemical performance, achieving 1.4 A/cm² at thermoneutral voltage without degradation. Electrode development focused on broadening the operating window and enabling high-current electrolysis. Moreover, PLD-fabricated LSCF/LSC oxygen electrodes demonstrated excellent performance. Interface engineering, particularly with PLD-deposited buffer layers, helped mitigate delamination and void formation.
To reduce the use of critical raw materials (CRM), thin electrolyte layers were developed using nanosuspension-based wet ceramic processing and advanced deposition techniques (PLD, PVD). These approaches enabled high performance with minimal material usage, supporting compact stack designs and improved thermal management. Ultra High-temperature Sintering (UHS) was successfully demonstrated, reducing sintering times from hours to minutes or even seconds.
The testing protocols for both oxygen-ion and proton-conducting cells were developed, incorporating EU harmonized standards as well as feedback from other EU on-going and finished projects. The base of the techno-economic model was developed and validated using literature and preliminary project data. Finally, a baseline Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) model was established, future iterations will assess the impact of alternative materials, fabrication techniques, and CRM reduction strategies on environmental performance.
