Thermodynamic Modelling of Protective Coating for Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells H/F

Vacancy details

General information

Organisation

The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a key player in research, development and innovation in four main areas :
• defence and security,
• nuclear energy (fission and fusion),
• technological research for industry,
• fundamental research in the physical sciences and life sciences.

Drawing on its widely acknowledged expertise, and thanks to its 16000 technicians, engineers, researchers and staff, the CEA actively participates in collaborative projects with a large number of academic and industrial partners.

The CEA is established in ten centers spread throughout France
  

Reference

2024-33846  

Position description

Category

Materials, solid state physics

Contract

Postdoc

Job title

Thermodynamic Modelling of Protective Coating for Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells H/F

Subject

Solid oxide electrolysis cells are a highly promising technology for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water at high temperature. While high operating temperature offers many benefits, it can lead to degradation of the interconnectors. Coatings are proposed to improve the long-term performance of interconnectors. Here, the aim is to find the best coating candidates. In this context, you will join the LM2T team within the DIADEM Project: https://www.pepr-diadem.fr/projet/atherm_coat-en/

Contract duration (months)

24

Job description

In the pursuit of a sustainable energy future, solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) are a highly promising technology for producing clean hydrogen by electrolysis of water at high temperature (between 500 and 850°C). Although high operating temperature offers many benefits (higher efficiency and lower power consumption), it can lead to degradation of the interconnectors. Coatings are proposed to improve the long-term performance of interconnectors and reduce corrosion problems, such as (i) development of passivation layers that increase electrical resistivity of the interconnector and (ii) formation of volatile species that poison the O2 electrode. The aim is to find the best coating candidates with high thermodynamic stability, high electrical conductivity and low cation diffusivity. In this context, you will join the LM2T team within the DIADEM Project (https://www.pepr-diadem.fr/projet/atherm_coat-en/) for innovative materials.

Your role will be to:

1)      Perform thermodynamic simulations using CALPHAD method and Thermo-Calc Software to predict the stability range of a set of coating candidates (e.g. spinel oxides and perovskites) and the possible decomposition reactions in different atmosphere conditions (temperature and oxygen partial pressure). In this step, the candidate will also perform a critical review of the thermodynamic data available in the literature.

2)      To couple information obtained from CALPHAD calculations and the thermodynamic database (e.g. volume and cation disorder) to estimate the thermal expansion and electrical conductivity (simplified by percolation theory) of the most promising compositions.

The candidate will work closely with the experimental team (ISAS/LECNA and UMR-IPV) producing the coatings to guide future trials and adapt the method to better meet large-scale production needs.

 

Skills/Qualifications:

- PhD degree in Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering or related fields.

-You have strong background in thermodynamics.

-Experience with method CALPHAD and Thermo-Calc is expected, programming skills are essential.

- Experience in the field of solid oxide electrolysis cell and coatings is an asset.

Position location

Site

Saclay

Job location

France, Ile-de-France, Essonne (91)

Location

  Gif-sur-Yvette

Requester

Position start date

28/10/2024