METHOD FOR GENERATING HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN BY STEAM ELECTROLYSIS

The present invention relates to a method for generating hydrogen and oxygen adsorbates by steam electrolysis at 200 to 800° C. using an electrolysis cell (30) comprising a solid electrolyte (31) which is made of a proton-conducting ceramic and which is arranged between an anode (32) and a cathode (33), each of which comprises a proton-conducting ceramic, and the ratio of the electroactive surface to the geometric surface of each of which is equal to at least 10, said method comprising the following steps: circulating a current between the anode (32) and the cathode (33), wherein the density of the current is no less than 500 mA/cm2; inserting water in the form of steam, which is fed under pressure to the anode (32); oxidizing said water in the form of steam at the anode (32), and generating highly reactive oxygen at the anode (32) after said oxidation; generating protonated species in the electrolyte (31) after said oxidation and migrating said protonated species in the electrolyte (31); and reducing said protonated species at the surface of the cathode (33) in the form of reactive hydrogen atoms.