FIB/TEM investigation of Si accumulation in the active layer of SOECs

摘要

This study aimed at revealing and examining degradation processes in solid oxide electro-lyser cells (SOECs) that were operated under working conditions. The investigation specialised in the examination of structural and chemical processes at the electrolyte / fuel electrode interface by means of electron-probe microanalysis (EPMA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). In particular, the Si accumulation at the triple-phase boundaries in the active layer of the fuel electrode was closely examined since this accumulation is considered to play an important role in the degradation of the examined SOECs.