NiO/ZrO2-CeO2 Anodes for Single-Chamber Solid-Oxide Fuel Cells Operating on Methane/Air Mixtures

Abstract

Single-chamber SOFCs have received much attention in recent years due to their simple design and low cost. In this work, we evaluated single-chamber SOFCs that operate in methane/air mixtures at high temperatures (900-1000{degree sign}C). YSZ was used as electrolyte, La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 as cathode, and NiO and NiO/ZrO2-50; 70 or 90 mol% CeO2 composites as anode. ZrO2-CeO2 solid solutions were previously characterized by several techniques and results of their structural and catalytic characterization are presented. Our results demonstrate that the incorporation of ZrO2-CeO2 catalysts in the anode significantly improves the performance of the cell.

A First-Principles Modeling of Ni Interactions on CeO2−ZrO2Mixed Oxide Solid Solutions

“…The performance of cerium oxide, mainly related to Ce 4+ /Ce 3+ couples, reduction facility and oxygen mobility properties, has been improved by the addition of transition, alkaline-earth, or rare-earth metals. , The incorporation of those metals into the CeO 2 lattice enhanced its redox properties, oxygen mobility, and thermal stability. Particularly, the doping of CeO 2 with Zr promoted its Ce 4+ /Ce 3+ couples, oxygen storage capacity, thermal resistance, and catalytic activity. − CeO 2 −ZrO 2 solid solutions showed better thermodynamic properties than pure CeO 2 , because of their improved redox couples formation and reversible oxygen storage properties. − Consequently, Ni/CeO 2 −ZrO 2 solid solutions have exhibited excellent catalytic behavior during methane reforming reactions. − …”

“…This was attributed to the presence of Zr in the support, which considerably altered the electronic environment of the Ce ions, increasing the concentration of the active sites of the surface. Besides, Ni/Ce 0.9 Zr 0.1 O 2 solid solution has been reported as very promising anode material for hydrogen production from methane partial oxidation, for power generation in solid oxide fuel cells operating at intermediate temperatures. , On the other hand, the relationship between activity and coke formation in Ni/CeO 2 -based catalysts has been also investigated . The authors reported, from samples characterization and methane dry reforming tests, an active role of CeO 2 −ZrO 2 mixed oxides in the gasification of surface coke.…”

Effect of synthesis conditions on the nanopowder properties of Ce0.9Zr0.1O2

“…Ceria (CeO 2 )-Zirconia (ZrO 2 ) mixed oxides are important constituents of many catalytic systems [1][2][3]. Likewise, they have mixed ion-electronic conductivity, which make them attractive to be used as electrocatalytic anode materials in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) [4].…”