Investigation of Ni-based alloy/CGO electro-catalysts as protective layer for a solid oxide fuel cell anode fed with ethanol

• Published in: Journal of applied electrochemistry 2015-07, Vol.45 (7), p.647-656
• Main Authors: Lo Faro, M., Reis, R. M., Saglietti, G. G. A., Zignani, S. C., Trocino, S., Frontera, P., Antonucci, P. L., Ticianelli, E. A., Aricò, A. S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Electrochemistry; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Physical Chemistry; Research Article
• ISSN: 0021-891X; 1572-8838
• DOI: 10.1007/s10800-015-0849-5

Ni-based alloys were prepared by using the oxalate method and subsequent in-situ reduction. The crystallographic phase and microstructure of the catalysts were investigated. These bimetallic alloys were mixed with gadolinium-doped ceria in order to obtain a composite material with mixed electronic-ionic conductivity. Catalytic and electrocatalytic properties of the composite materials for the conversion of ethanol were investigated. Electrochemical tests were carried out by utilizing the Ni-based alloy/CGO cermet as a barrier layer in a conventional anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). A comparative study between the modified cells and a conventional anode-supported SOFC without the protective layer was made. The aim was to efficiently convert the fuel directly into electricity or syngas (H 2 and CO) just before the conventional anode support. In accordance with the ex-situ catalytic tests, the SOFC anode modified with Ni–Co/CGO showed superior performance towards the direct utilization of dry ethanol than the bare anode and that modified with Ni–Cu/CGO. A peak power of 550 mW cm −2 was achieved with the dry ethanol-fed Ni–Co/CGO pre-layer modified-cell at 800 °C. A total low frequency resistance of