LAUSR

AbstractElectrochemical performance degradation of the air electrode due to the presence of trace levels of gaseous chromium impurities, a critical issue in high-temperature electrochemical systems, contributes to long-term irreversible performance instabilities. We report a low-cost getter comprised of SrO and NiO to capture extrinsic chromium impurities present in ambient air. Ceramic honeycomb-supported getters have been tested for 500 h under SOFC cathode exposure conditions and characterized by scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry and focused ion beam–transmission electron microscopy. Chemical and structural analyses show that gaseous chromium predominantly concentrates within ~ 4–5 mm at the air inlet, leaving only the remainder of the getter free of chromium. Chromium capture mechanisms are proposed and discussed based on experimental findings and thermodynamic calculations.