The cell architecture decides whether your SOFC or SOEC test campaign is limited by ohmic loss, polarization, or mechanical failure — so this section groups solid-oxide electrodes and full cells by which layer carries the load. You will find electrolyte-supported (ESC) cathodes, ESC anodes, anode-supported half-cells, and complete planar and button cells, all matched to the SSZ, ScSZ, YSZ, and GDC chemistries the intermediate- and high-temperature SOFC/SOEC community actually runs.
Electrolyte-supported components
ESC parts are the right choice when you want a thicker, mechanically robust electrolyte (typically scandia-stabilized zirconia in the 150-200 um range) and can accept higher ohmic resistance in exchange for survivability under clamping and thermal cycling. The ESC cathode stack uses an LSM / LSM-GDC functional gradient against an SSZ membrane to compensate for LSM's modest ionic conductivity and to control reactivity between strontium-bearing perovskites and zirconia. The ESC anode side pairs Ni-GDC with Ni-YSZ to maximize the triple-phase boundary while keeping the porous cermet bonded to the dense electrolyte.
Anode-supported half-cells and full cells
Anode-supported designs put the structural load on a thick, porous Ni-YSZ cermet (roughly 500-1000 um, 30-40 percent porosity after NiO reduction), with thin YSZ electrolyte and a GDC buffer above it. The buffer blocks reactive interdiffusion between zirconia and cobalt-based perovskite cathodes, so an LSC or LSCF top layer can be deposited without forming insulating SrZrO3. Anode-supported cells deliver lower ohmic loss at intermediate temperatures (650-800 C), which makes them well suited to SOEC steam electrolysis and reversible operation.
Cell formats
Both architectures are offered as 20 mm and 25 mm button cells for screening, kinetic studies, and impedance work, and as 5 cm x 5 cm planar cells for sealing, current-collection, and stack-precursor testing. NiO-containing layers ship in the oxidized state and require a controlled in-situ reduction (dilute H2 in inert) to avoid micro-cracking the electrolyte.
If you are characterizing electrolyte-side reactions or running long thermal-cycle tests, start with electrolyte-supported parts; if you are pushing area-specific resistance down at intermediate temperature, move to anode-supported. For the supporting chemistries on their own, see SOEC & SOFC.
