Effects of Polarization on the Microstructural Changes at the YSZ/Ni-YSZ Interface

This study examines the effect of Ni migration near the interface with the electrolyte after fuel cell (SOFC) and electrolysis mode (SOEC) operation on nickel-yttria stabilized zirconia (Ni-YSZ) electrodes. The experimental dataset consists in a series of short-stacks tested under different polarization conditions and durations. Selected zones have been imaged by 3-D FIB-SEM serial sectioning. After reconstruction and segmentation, the spatial variations of metric and topological properties have been quantified along the direction perpendicular to the interface with the YSZ electrolyte, including TPB density, volume fraction, dihedral angles and interfacial curvature. Their spatial distribution and time evolution have been analysed to advance the understanding of the driving forces that cause Ni depletion near the YSZ electrolyte.