Experimental validation of solid oxide fuel cell polarization modeling: An LSM-YSZ/YSZ/Ni-YSZ case study

•Total polarization loss from polarization model is validated by EIS measurement.•One-electron transfer process is confirmed for LSM cathode near OCV.•One-half dependency of exchange current density on P(O2) for LSM/YSZ is validated.•Diffusivity from ex-situ measurement matches with that from polarization modeling.•Combined with 3D reconstruction, bulk and Knudsen diffusivities can be quantified. Polarization modeling based on the measured I-V curves is a useful tool for analyzing SOFC performance and diagnosing performance limitations. Using the polarization model, the overpotential of a cell is usually separated into different polarization contributions, including area specific ohmic polarization, activation polarization, and anodic and cathodic concentration polarizations. In this study, we aim to experimentally validate the accuracy of the polarization model. As a case study, anode-supported cells with LSM-YSZ/YSZ/Ni-YSZ configuration are used. By curve-fitting the I-V curves of a cell tested under different cathode oxygen partial pressures into the polarization model, the contributions of different polarization losses are quantified. To validate the polarization model, independent experiments/studies including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cathode kinetics study, ex-situ diffusivity measurement, and tortuosity measurement using 3D reconstructed anode are conducted. The results from polarization modeling and from validation studies are in good agreement, thereby validating the polarization model for SOFC performance analysis.