Current Leakage and Faradaic Efficiency Simulation of Proton-Conducting Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells

In this study, we simulated BZY electrolyte-supported proton-conducting solid oxide cell by coupling surface defect chemistry reaction with charged species transport. We validated the model parameters by concentration as a function of temperature, conductivity under dry and wet oxygen as a function of oxygen partial pressure and temperature. The results indicate that the high electron-hole mobility (diffusivity) is mainly responsible for the high leaking current under high temperatures. The Faradaic efficiency stays low or even negative under low operating voltage or high temperature and plateaus as the cell voltage increases. The model developed in this study is a useful tool to understand the leaking current in BZY electrolyte and provide design strategies to avoid/mitigate such significant inefficiency for water electrolysis operation.