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DOE OSTI · 3367503

Operando X-Ray Diffraction During High Temperature Electrolysis

Crain, Christopher [SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory]·Kane, Nicholas [Idaho National Laboratory]·Hartvigsen, Jeremy [Idaho National Laboratory]·Casteel, Micah [Idaho National Laboratory]·Arthur, Ross [SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory]·Reynolds, Katerina [SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory]·Tucker, Michael [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory]·Shulda, Sarah [National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO (United States)]·Ginley, David [National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO (United States)] (ORCID:0000000155403294)·Strange, Nicholas [SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory]
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Abstract

This work presents the design, development, and deployment of an operando X-ray diffraction (XRD) system for high-temperature electrolysis (HTE), enabling real-time characterization of solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) under true operational conditions. The integration of an HTE test stand within a synchrotron radiation environment, mimicking the conditions of a laboratory setup, aims to enhance our understanding of the degradation processes affecting the performance and longevity of SOECs. Utilizing a custom furnace and a high precision motor stack assembly at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), the system revealed unparalleled insights into the structural evolution of SOEC components through various operational stages, including initial heat ramp, cell reduction, fuel ramp, and wet electrolysis. Initial results demonstrate the significant impact of the initial heating and cooling on secondary phase formation within the SOEC, highlighting the utility of operando XRD for developing more efficient and durable hydrogen production technologies.

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08 HYDROGEN09 BIOMASS FUELSdiffractionelectrodeselectrolysisoxidesthermodynamic properties

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Crain, Christopher [SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory], Kane, Nicholas [Idaho National Laboratory], Hartvigsen, Jeremy [Idaho National Laboratory], Casteel, Micah [Idaho National Laboratory], Arthur, Ross [SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory], Reynolds, Katerina [SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory], Tucker, Michael [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory], Shulda, Sarah [National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO (United States)], Ginley, David [National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO (United States)] (ORCID:0000000155403294), Strange, Nicholas [SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory]. 2026-04-28. Operando X-Ray Diffraction During High Temperature Electrolysis. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.5c03240

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