Effects of manganese oxides on the activity and stability of Ni-Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 anode for solid oxide fuel cells with methanol as the fuel

• Published in: Catalysis today 2019-06, Vol.330, p.222-227
• Main Authors: Gan, Tian, Ding, Guochang, Chen, Boran, Zhi, Xiaojing, Li, Ping, Yao, Xueli, Hou, Nianjun, Fan, Lijun, Zhao, Yicheng, Li, Yongdan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anode; Carbon deposition; Lattice oxygen; Manganese oxides; Methanol electro-oxidation; Solid oxide fuel cell
• ISSN: 0920-5861; 1873-4308
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2018.01.014

[Display omitted] •MnOx is added into Ni-SDC as the anode for SOFCs fed with methanol.•The addition of MnOx decreases the anodic polarization resistance.•The single cell exhibits a maximum power density of 722 mW cm−2 at 700 °C.•The redox cycle of the Mn species facilitates the oxidation of the deposited carbon. Ni-MnOx-Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 (SDC) composites are synthesized and investigated as anode materials of solid oxide fuel cells fed with methanol. The lowest anodic polarization resistance is obtained when the molar ratio of Mn to Ni is 0.05:0.95. The high catalytic activity is attributed to the transfer of electrons from Ni to Mn and the increase of the content of the lattice oxygen in the anode. The single cell with that anode and SDC-carbonate composite electrolyte exhibits a maximum power density of 722 mW cm−2 at 700 °C. Mn also increases the resistance to carbon deposition of the anode due to the high lattice oxygen content and the redox cycle of the Mn species. The stability of the single cell is enhanced with the increase of the content of Mn in the anode.