LIU Kui, ZHANG Xiaoyu, HUANG Zuzhi, ZHANG Guangjun, ZHENG Guozhu, CHEN Ting, WANG Shaorong
(China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, Jiangsu, China)

Abstract: Solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) is an efficient electrochemical device for hydrogen production. Compared with the traditional hydrogen production through alkaline water electrolysis, SOEC has attracted wide attention, due to the characteristics of high efficiency and environmental friendliness. The pore structure of traditional electrode support prepared by using dry pressing or tape-casting methods was created through adding pore-former to improve the gas transmission. However, the pores are irregular in shape and their distribution is not uniform, which hinders gas transmission, resulting in low steam conversion efficiency. Phase inversion technology is an effective way to form regular and straight-through pores, which can be applied to prepare the electrode support of SOEC. Such straight-through pore structure is desirable for gas transmission, greatly reduce the concentration polarization resistance of the cells, improve the conversion efficiency of steam and enable higher hydrogen production. The application of phase inversion technology in SOEC is reviewed and the future development is discussed.
Key words: phase inversion; solid oxide electrolysis cell; mass transfer