Characterization of Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells by Advanced FIB-SEM Tomography

Microstructural changes after cycling of a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) were studied by means of FIB-SEM tomography. The advanced tomography package ZEISS Atlas 5 3D Tomography allows high resolution 3D electron imaging and 3D EDS elemental imaging using two different sets of SEM conditions optimized for the respective task. The additional chemical information facilitated the correct segmentation of the different phases present in the sample. This was crucial to better understand the diverse mechanisms leading to deterioration of the cell.