| Abstract Scope |
Chromium (Cr) poisoning of the oxygen electrode remains a key degradation issue affecting the long-term performance of solid oxide electrochemical cells. This work presents a comprehensive strategy to mitigate Cr poisoning, focusing on four key areas: Cr evaporation quantification, developing Cr-tolerant electrodes, interconnects coatings, and improved balance-of-plant alloys. A Na2CO3-coated alumina tube method was identified as a reliable technique for accurately assessing Cr evaporation under SOC-relevant conditions. To improve Cr tolerance, a new class of high-entropy perovskite cathodes was developed, demonstrating superior stability and performance compared to LSCF, with minimal degradation over extended operation.
Electroplated MnCo and EPD (Mn,Co)₃O₄ spinel showed effectively minimized Cr migration and maintained low area-specific resistance of interconnects. Alumina-forming austenitic steels exhibited 5–35 times lower Cr evaporation rates than conventional alloys. Collectively, these strategies significantly enhance SOC durability and operational stability, supporting the development of more reliable systems for energy conversion and storage applications. |