Effect of water vapor and hydrogen on the oxidation of metallic interconnect materials for solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract

One of the critical requirements for interconnect materials in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is oxidation resistance in both air and fuel environments. Chromium oxide (Cr2O3) is stable and grows in both environments, but differences in the hydrogen and water vapor contents between the electrodes affect the defect equilibria, which in turn affects the growth mechanism and thus the scale properties. In this paper, the effects of water vapor and hydrogen on the oxidation behavior of chromiaforming alloys are discussed. In addition to the oxidation in either air or fuel environments, the behavior in a dual atmosphere (simultaneous exposure to air on one side and fuel on the other) is also discussed.