The development of solid oxide electrolysis cells: Critical materials, technologies and prospects

Solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) have received widespread attention due to their high efficiency, greenness and flexibility. SOECs produce value-added chemicals by electrocatalytically reducing CO2, which is of great significance for achieving CO2 reduction and renewable energy storage. This review first comprehensively explains the mechanism of SOEC electrolysis of CO2, followed by a detailed introduction to the classification and synthesis strategies of electrolyte, cathode and anode materials, including the microstructure design of electrodes. The reasons for SOEC performance degradation and countermeasures are discussed next. The related economic benefits of SOEC are also introduced. Finally, the challenges and prospects that SOEC needs to face for further technological utilization and commercialization are summarized.