Stephanie Wolf Successfully Defends Doctoral Thesis At RWTH Aachen University

IET-1 is pleased to announce that Stephanie Wolf successfully defended her doctoral thesis "Electrochemical Analysis and Development of Novel Electrode Materials for High-Temperature Electrolysis" at RWTH Aachen University on 10.01.2025.

Stephanie Wolf Successfully Defends Doctoral Thesis At RWTH Aachen University
Prof. Dr. Josef Granwehr, Prof. Dr. Joachim Mayer, Dr. Stephanie Wolf, Prof. Dr. Rüdiger-A. Eichel, Prof. Dr. Sonja Herres-Pawlis
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH

Solid Oxide Cells (SOCs) for high-temperature electrolysis offer significant advantages due to their excellent reaction kinetics and favorable thermodynamics. These characteristics make them highly efficient for the production of hydrogen, a key component that is essential for a sustainable transition in the energy sector.

However, the state-of-the-art nickel (Ni) cermet electrodes currently employed in industrial applications face significant stability challenges. Over time, these electrodes degrade, affecting the long-term efficiency and reliability of solid oxide electrolysis cell systems.

In this thesis, an in-depth investigation of the degradation behavior of Ni cermets was carried out to analyze optimized operating conditions. The primary degradation mechanism identified was nickel depletion within the electrode structure, which compromises performance over extended operating periods.

To address this issue, Ni-free perovskite electrode materials were investigated as a potential alternative. These materials were subjected to long-term electrolysis conditions to assess their suitability for hydrogen production. The research led to the development of high-performance electrode materials with significantly improved long-term stability compared to industry-employed materials, making them promising candidates for future industrial applications.

The entire team of IET-1, headed by Prof. Dr. Rüdiger-A. Eichel, extend their congratulations to Dr. Stephanie Wolf and wishes her the best in her future endeavors.

Last Modified: 04.03.2025