Materials Development for Improved Efficiency of Hydrogen Production by Steam Electrolysis and Thermochemical-Electrochemical Processes

We are investigating two processes as potential sources of hydrogen for the “hydrogen economy”. One of these hydrogen production processes is water electrolysis at high temperatures using heat from a nuclear reactor, known as high temperature steam electrolysis (HTSE). The feasibility of this process is currently being demonstrated at Idaho National Laboratory using solid oxide fuel cell designs and materials. A major source of efficiency loss in solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) is poor electrode performance and durability resulting in large systems and high materials costs. The overall goal of our work in this area is to develop oxygen and steam electrodes for SOECs that will lead to improved performance and durability, and reduced costs.