A LaNi0.9Co0.1O3 coated Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 composite anode for solid oxide fuel cells fed with methanol

• Published in: Catalysis today 2019-05, Vol.327, p.220-225
• Main Authors: Gan, Tian, Ding, Guochang, Zhi, Xiaojing, Fan, Lijun, Hou, Nianjun, Yao, Xueli, Li, Ping, Zhao, Yicheng, Li, Yongdan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anode; Impregnation; Lanthanum nickelate; Methanol; Solid oxide fuel cell
• ISSN: 0920-5861; 1873-4308
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2018.04.050

[Display omitted] •Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 powder is impregnated with LaNi0.9Co0.1O3 as an anode of SOFCs.•LaNi0.9Co0.1O3 forms Ni-Co nanoparticles after reduction.•The oxide supporter suppresses the sintering of the metallic nanoparticles.•The LNC-SDC anode shows a higher catalytic activity than conventional Ni-SDC anodes.•The cell fed with methanol shows a maximum power density of 872 mW cm−2 at 700 °C. Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 (SDC) powder is impregnated with LaNi0.9Co0.1O3 (LNC) to form a composite anode for solid oxide fuel cells with methanol as fuel. Nanoparticles of Ni-Co alloy are derived from LNC after reduction. The composite anode shows a sufficient electrical conductivity when the weight ratio of Ni to SDC reaches 0.1, which is much lower than the amount of Ni required in conventional Ni-SDC anodes. The aggregation of Ni-Co nanoparticles in the reduced anode is suppressed by the oxide supporter, resulting in an improved catalytic activity. The single cell with LNC-SDC composite anode and SDC-carbonate composite electrolyte exhibits a maximum power density of 872 mW cm−2 at 700 °C with gasified methanol as the fuel, much higher than that of the cell with a NiCo-SDC anode under the same condition. The amount of carbon deposited on the anode in methanol atmosphere decreases with the decline of the LNC content. The cells with LNC-SDC composite anodes exhibit stable performances during a 500-minute discharge period.