Session: 20-17-01: Rising Stars of Mechanical Engineering

Paper Number: 172421

Unraveling Oxygen Electrode Delamination Mechanisms in Reversible Solid Oxide Cells for Robust Hydrogen Production 

Reversible solid oxide cells are devices that can switch between two opposite operating modes: Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell mode, producing H₂ from renewable sources and H₂O, and Solid Oxide Fuel Cell mode, generating stable electricity from H₂ for grid-scale applications. These devices can potentially revolutionize the role of hydrogen in future energy landscape. Despite the promise, though, use of these devices faces significant challenges due to fast degradation of the cell resulted from interface delamination failures under prolonged operation. This Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award supports research aiming to understand the complex degradation mechanisms within reversible solid oxide cells. By overcoming these challenges with fundamental mechanism understandings, the technology can enable cost-effective use of hydrogen as a clean fuel in industries and the heavy-duty transportation sector. Utilizing hydrogen as a long-term energy storage solution, it also promotes the integration of renewable energy sources into the grid. This research spans multiple disciplines such as solid mechanics, electrochemistry, and advanced imaging. The project seeks to encourage inclusivity by engaging underrepresented groups in energy engineering research and education, providing equitable access to all students with professional development opportunities in the STEM field.

The rapid degradation in reversible solid oxide cells during electrolysis mode, caused by delamination failure at the oxygen electrode/electrolyte interface, is commonly associated with the buildup of oxygen partial pressure. Significant scientific challenges persist in fully comprehending the mechanisms responsible for the reduced degradation observed under reversible modes, especially with a bilayer oxygen electrode configuration. This research aims to bridge the existing knowledge gap by investigating the intricate interactions between mechanical and chemical stresses at the oxygen electrode-electrolyte interface under dynamic operating conditions, utilizing integrated mechano-electro-chemical approaches. By developing a microscale-multiphysics model of reversible solid oxide cells and rigorously validating it with cross-disciplinary experimental data, the research will unravel the intricate dynamics of crack initiation and propagation within 3D heterogeneous microstructures. The investigations will be centered on how oxygen-lattice volume variations induced by operating currents are connected to crack initiation and propagation. The research will also uncover if dynamic electric loading can counteract stresses at the oxygen electrode/electrolyte interface, thus significantly mitigating delamination and extending cell lifespan. Through meticulous model and experiment coupling, the precise contributions of material variations and structural geometry modifications to performance improvements will be delineated. These findings will make a marked impact on the design of new OEs and development of protocols for safe operation of RSOCs, while providing valuable insights for other electrochemical cells like solid-state batteries/sensors, fuel cells, and gas-permeation membranes.

Presenting Author: Xinfang Jin University of Texas at Dallas

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Xinfang Jin is an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UT Dallas, beginning in the fall of 2024. Prior to joining UT Dallas, she served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts Lowell from 2018 to 2024. Dr. Jin earned her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Carolina, 2014. Her research focuses on multiscale computational modeling and simulation of energy conversion and storage devices, including fuel cells, electrolysis cells, and lithium-ion batteries. In February 2024, she was awarded the prestigious NSF CAREER award from the CMMI MOMS program. Dr. Jin has secured funding from NSF CBET/CMMI, DOE EERE, ONR, and various industrial partners. She has authored over 70 journal papers, which have garnered more than 1,200 citations, and she holds an h-index of 20. Dr. Jin has also contributed to the academic community by serving as a symposium organizer and session chair at Electrochemical Society (ECS) Conferences. Additionally, she was elected as a member-at-large for the executive committee of the High-Temperature Energy, Materials, & Processes division and serves on the meetings subcommittee at ECS.

Authors: