22 Feb 2023
KIST researchers have identified a sintering mechanism that can be used to manufacture next-generation high-efficiency ceramic cells for green hydrogen production.
Korean researchers at the Energy Materials Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), have identified a key mechanism for manufacturing next-generation high-efficiency solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) technology. The team has discovered that supplying a small amount of gaseous sintering aid material during the manufacturing process can promote sintering of the proton ceramic electrolyte used in high-temperature SOECs. This finding could lead to the commercialization of SOEC technology, which is critical for the production of green hydrogen using renewable energy.
SOECs are a promising technology for producing green hydrogen as they use renewable energy to convert water into hydrogen, with no pollutant emissions. High-temperature SOECs are particularly efficient and can produce hydrogen at a faster rate. However, they have not been commercialized due to the difficulty in identifying the mechanism responsible for sintering protonic ceramic electrolytes during the cell manufacturing process.Â
The KIST research team's discovery of the gaseous sintering aid mechanism will help in designing the core manufacturing process for protonic ceramic cells, which could accelerate the realization of the hydrogen economy