Reformer-Integrated Thin-Film Solid Oxide Fuel Cell for Ethanol Fuel

Ethanol reformer and thin-film solid oxide fuel cell are integrated on single nano-porous anodic aluminum oxide(AAO) substrate. Manganese doped cobalt catalyst is utilized as fuel reformer which is deposited on one side of the substrate, and thin-film single cell is fabricated on another side of the AAO, which is made of Pt, Ru and YSZ thin films. Electrochemical performance is tested at 500℃, in the electrical heater, supplied by fuel-water bubbled inert gas stream. Fuel-water saturated inert gas flows into the reformer, and becomes hydrogen gas, COx, methane, etc. Reformed gas diffuses from reformer to single cell anode, passing through the nano-pores of AAO substrate. Although many carbon-containing substances such as COx or methane are chemically formed, the anode of single cell operates for considerably long time while maintaining high performance, because ruthenium in anode layer protects the catalyst particles from poisoning. This reformer-integrated cell structure acts as a direct-hydrocarbon fuel cell.