In Situ Tailored Nickel Nano-Catalyst Layer for Internal Reforming Hydrocarbon Fueled SOFCs

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have been strongly attracted as the next energy technology due to their high efficiency and eco-friendly energy convertor. SOFCs do not only directly convert to electricity from hydrogen, also from various hydrocarbon fuels such as methane, propane, and so on. However, the conventional Ni cermet anode suffers carbon deposition when directly used with hydrocarbon fuels because of pyrolysis and Boudouard reactions.  

In this work, non-stoichiometry perovskite (La0.8Ce0.1Ni0.4Ti0.6O3) as reforming layer can lead to Ni nano particle exsolution with homogenous distribution and high population in reduction atmosphere. This catalyst layer was applied on Ni-GDC anode supported single cell to prevent carbon deposition through reforming hydrocarbon fuel at outer surface.  

The catalyst layer showed excellent attachment with Ni-GDC anode and resistance of carbon deposition. The performance of Ni–GDC anode-supported single cells with catalyst layer was about 1 W/cm2 in hydrogen fuel as similar as without catalyst layer. We are also analyzing of cell performance in dry methane and partial oxidation of methane to clarify the presence of nano nickel particles in the catalyst layer and its effect on the electrode-catalytic activity and polarization resistance.