In situ embedding of CoFe nanocatalysts into Sr3FeMoO7 matrix as high-performance anode materials for solid oxide fuel cells.

Anode materials with excellent catalytic activity, good stability, and enhanced tolerance to carbon deposition are highly desired for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Herein, CoFe (CF) nanoalloy catalysts are homogeneously in-situ embedded on Sr 3 FeMoO 7 (RP-SFM) efficient electrically conductive perovskite matrix through reduction of Sr 2 FeMo 2/3 Co 1/3 O 6−δ precursor. The particle size of CoFe alloy is in the range of 10–50 nm, and the electrical conductivity enhances from about 8 to 17 S cm−1 to 49-63 S cm−1 after Sr 2 FeMo 2/3 Co 1/3 O 6−δ reduction. The maximum power density of SOFCs with the RP-SFM@CF-SDC(Sm 0.2 Ce 0 · 8 O 1.9) composite anode in H 2 fuel reaches to 2.12 W cm−2 at 850 °C, which is about 1.4 times than that of the SOFCs with traditional Ni-SDC anode. Moreover, the RP-SFM@CF-SDC anodes also demonstrate excellent resistance to carbon deposition and high power density when C 3 H 8 hydrocarbon is used as fuel. The improved catalytic activity results from the efficient electronic/ion conductive paths, abundant CoFe active sites, together with the enlarged trip phase boundaries (TPBs). Image 1 • CoFe(CF) nanoalloy are homogeneously embedded on the layered perovskite RP-SFM. • RP-SFM@CF anode exhibits excellent catalytic activity and good structural stability. • RP-SFM@CF-SDC anode exhibits higher electrochemical performance than Ni-SDC. • The improved performance results from the abundant CoFe active sites and TPBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]