Direct Ethanol Anode-Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

Abstract

An anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) was continuously operated with direct (anhydrous) ethanol for ~600 hours, with a high current density. The operation of the SOFC under ethanol was made possible with the deposition of a ceria-based catalytic layer onto the cermet anode support, which efficiently converts the primary fuel in hydrogen. The catalytic layer associated with the gradual internal reforming (GIR) process avoids carbon deposition on the Ni surface. The results provide a significant advance towards the development of direct ethanol solid oxide fuel cells.

Utilization of Thermocatalysts in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) Fed with Hydrogen-Rich Fuels: A Mini-Review

“…Nóbrega et al sprayed 0.1 wt % Ir/GDC catalyst on the surface of a Ni-YSZ anode and tested the electrochemical performance of an ethanol-fueled SOFC . The Ir/GDC modified fuel cell showed excellent stability at 850 °C in 10% C 2 H 5 OH–90% N 2 for 600 h, resulting from the effective gradual internal reforming process and avoidance of carbon deposition.…”

“…Numerous studies show that thermocatalysts can be utilized to effectively reform hydrogen-rich fuels, thereby suppressing carbon deposition on the conventional nickel-based cermet anodes as well as avoiding nitridation of Ni anodes. ,,,− The integration of thermocatalysts with hydrogen-rich fueled SOFCs significantly improves the electrochemical activity and enhances the long-term durability as compared with the direct hydrogen-rich fueled SOFCs. There are various types of thermocatalysts including metal oxide catalysts (e.g., Fe 3 O 4 ), metal oxide supported catalysts (e.g., Ni/Al 2 O 3 ), perovskites (e.g., LaFeO 3 ), perovskite supported catalysts (e.g., Ni-CeO 2 /La 0.8 Ce 0.2– x Cr 0.85 Ni 0.15– y O 3−δ ), and so on.…”