Date of Award
8-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Materials Science and Engineering
Committee Chair/Advisor
Dr. Fei Peng
Committee Member
Dr. Jianhua Tong
Committee Member
Dr. Mark A Johnson
Abstract
This thesis focuses on the fabrication and preliminary electrochemical response of Nickel (Ni)- Yttria-stabilized Zirconia (YSZ)/YSZ and Ni-YSZ/YSZ-Samaria-doped Ceria (SDC) solid oxide electrolysis cells, where YSZ-SDC is the nanocrystalline heterophase (NHP) polymeric precursor electrolyte. The cells were fabricated using techniques including die pressing, ultrasonic spray coating and high-temperature sintering. A standard Ni-YSZ/YSZ cell was first fabricated as the baseline structure. Then Ni-YSZ/YSZ-SDC cells were fabricated, incorporating YSZ-SDC NHP polymeric precursors at 3:1 and 5:1 ratios. SEM and EDS observations have shown electrolyte grain growth and elemental distribution. XRD analysis has shown the presence of fluorite-structured YSZ and SDC-related phase. The conventional Ni-YSZ/YSZ structure maintained an open-circuit voltage (OCV) of 1.08 V while producing measurable electrolysis current. In contrast, 3:1 and 5:1 YSZ-SDC incorporated Ni-YSZ/YSZ-SDC cells initially produced reasonable open-circuit potentials but subsequently showed sharp voltage collapse after exposure to wet hydrogen. Post-test microscopy also showed electrolyte fracture and oxygen electrode delamination in selected cells. Overall, the study demonstrates the fabrication feasibility of Ni-YSZ/YSZ-SDC structures incorporating YSZ-SDC NHP polymeric precursors and identifies electrolyte densification, grain morphology, interfacial integrity and also indicates possible electrical leakage as important areas for further study.
Recommended Citation
Mishfa, Kaniz Fatima, "Fabrication and Preliminary Performance Evaluation of Ni-YSZ/YSZ-SDC Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell Using YSZ-SDC Polymeric Precursor Electrolyte" (2026). All Theses. 4816.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/4816