Amid the global push for energy transition and net-zero emissions, hydrogen energy has emerged as one of the key technologies for achieving carbon neutrality. With support from the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), the research team led by Prof. Chung-Jen Tseng, the Director of the Hydrogen Energy Research Center at National Central University, has recently made a major breakthrough in the core materials and microstructure development of proton-conducting solid oxide electrolysis (P-SOEL).
The team successfully developed electrode and electrolyte materials that can operate efficiently at relatively lower temperatures while maintaining excellent stability and durability, and further engineered a porous structure that enables smoother reaction pathways. These advancements significantly enhance electrolyzer performance and reduce the energy required for hydrogen production.
The team used barium cerium zirconium yttrium oxide (BCZY) to produce a porous intermediate layer and optimized the sintering conditions to obtain suitable porosity. It is like placing a “breathable, better-gripping sponge pad” between two components: it allows gas to flow through while keeping the contact tighter, making it easier for reactions to occur and naturally improving efficiency. They then further refined the powder and used laser processing for fine structuring, so that the chemical reactions become faster and resistance is reduced.
With this approach, a single electrolysis cell can reach a high current density of 5568 mA/cm² at 650 °C and 1.6 V, and reduce the energy required to produce 1 m³ of hydrogen to 3.83 kWh/Nm³. Compared with traditional systems that need temperatures above 800 °C to achieve similar performance, this lower-temperature operation not only saves energy but also extends the system’s lifetime.
For the air electrode, the team adopted praseodymium barium strontium cobalt ferrite (PBSCF) as the material. At 600 °C, it still has good electrical conductivity and appropriate porosity (which is beneficial for gas flow), and its thermal expansion and contraction are relatively small (less prone to stress formation and cracking). Through interfacial engineering, the adhesion and compatibility between PBSCF and BCZY are further improved, which enhances reaction efficiency and extends the service life of the electrolyzer.
In addition, the team used multiple materials analysis methods to verify the crystal structure, interfacial morphology, and conduction behavior, confirming that the electrolyzer can maintain long-term stability, highly active, and efficient under intermediate-temperature conditions. This work lays a crucial foundation for materials and interfaces in intermediate-temperature P-SOEL systems and provides foundation for the commercialization and localization of hydrogen-producing electrolyzers.
Looking ahead, the team will continue to enhance material stability and advance process development, while working closely with industry partners to transform laboratory innovations into scalable manufacturing technologies suitable for real-world deployment. In parallel, the team aims to promote cross-disciplinary integration and international collaboration, accelerating the industrial application of hydrogen technologies and enhancing Taiwan’s competitiveness within the global hydrogen technology value chain.
Media Contact：
Mr. Ching-An Chuang
Program Manager
Department of Engineering and Technologies, NSTC
Phone：(02) 27377372
email：cchuang2@nstc.gov.tw
