Development of Advanced and Innovative metal supported Cells using proton conducting ceramics to foster Hydrogen society Implementation

The project DAICHI started April 1st 2018 and is a collaboration between SINTEF and University of Oslo as well as the German coordinator DLR and three Japanese universities (Kyushu, Tohoku and Nihon). In DAICHI, we propose an alternative and innovative concept of electrochemical energy conversion device based upon a metal supported cell using proton conducting ceramics for high-temperature fuel cell and steam electrolysis cell. Replacing the thick porous ceramic substrate by inexpensive porous metal will increase the robustness of the cell, while reducing the needs for critical raw materials widely used in technical ceramics. In comparison to solid oxide cells, the development of proton conducting cells is a few decades behind with still open challenges regarding materials selection, especially promising oxygen-steam electrode materials is not yet identified. The performance will be improved dramatically to reach the critical level for practical applications when reliable oxygen-steam electrode is developed. The overall aim of this project is to develop proton conducting metal supported cells as highly efficient, robust and flexible electrochemical conversion devices working at moderate temperatures (~ 500°C). The focus of DAICHI is the development of oxygen-steam electrodes and the demonstration of a working cell. The collaboration between the Norwegian partners SINTEF/UiO, and DLR has been very fruitful, and has led to good results when it comes to pulsed laser deposition (PLD) of electrolyte and improvement of the surface for the PLD layer. DLR has been several times at UiO to fabricate dense electrolyte films, and this close collaboration has resulted in fabrication and testing of several cells with good results. The collaboration is also very important for the progress of the researcher project AH2A; project number 228819/E20 which finished in 2021. The collaboration between the Japanese partners have to a larger extent been affected by the pandemic. However, exchange of samples for mechanical testing, and discussion of results in project web meetings and seminars. The most important scientific outcome has been an increased understanding of factors which can lead to stress and strain issues occurring during operation of the cells, with main focus on interactions between the metallic support and the ceramic cell components. The collaboration with Nihon University will continue after the end of DAICHI.

Scientific and Technological impact -development of PCC cells -successful demonstration of MS-PCC cell by implementation of thin film electrolyte International collaboration -integrating knowledge of international partners who are experts in proton conducting ceramics and SOCs technologies based on Metal Supported Cell Architecture -support the exchange of researchers between Norway and Germany to accelerate exchange of knowledge and support the collaboration and development work already engaged. The exchange of researchers between Europe and Japan has been limited, due to the pandemic -speed up the technological developments and foster emergence of international scientific excellence in the field by organizing workshops. Affected by the pandemic, but one online workshop has been arranged. -building of a unique know-how in the field of MSCs with PCC materials

High temperature fuel cells are considered as a key technology for the future. In this project, we propose an alternative and innovative concept of metal supported cells (MSC) using proton conducting ceramics (PCC) as electrochemical energy conversion devices, including fuel cell (FC) and steam electrolysis cell (EC), working at moderate temperatures (400- 600°C). Replacing the thick porous ceramic substrate by inexpensive porous metal will increase the robustness of the cell, while reducing the needs for critical raw materials widely used in technical ceramics. As unique feature compared to Solid Oxide ion conducting Ceramics (SOC), the PCC cell architecture is ideal in respect of fuel electrode, which maximizes the fuel utilization by avoiding dilution of the fuel by the product of reaction, for example. In comparison to SOC, however, development of PCC is a few decades behind with still open challenges regarding materials selection; especially promising oxygen+steam electrode materials is not yet identified for PCC. The performance will be improved dramatically to reach the critical level for practical applications when reliable oxygen+steam electrode is developed for PCC. In support of current development activity in the running Norwegian project AH2A at UiO and SINTEF, and intern activity at DLR, the DAICHI projects aims at supporting collaboration and exchange between those institutions. The involvement of Kyushu and Tohoku universities will provide additional fundamental knowledges and expertise for the investigation and further development of the key materials to realize PCC devices. In addition, the assessment of the mechanical characteristics of the MSC by Tohoku University is crucial for technological development. The DAICHI project allows efficient and effective scientific exchange of knowledge between Europe and Japan, with which we will speed up the technological developments and foster emergence of international scientific excellence in the field.