Electrochemical behaviour of propane-fed solid oxide fuel cells based on low Ni content anode catalysts

Abstract: Two different low Ni content (10wt.%) anode catalysts were investigated for intermediate temperature (800°C) operation in solid oxide fuel cells fed with dry propane. Both catalysts were prepared by the impregnation of a Ni-precursor on different oxide supports, i.e. gadolinia doped ceria (CGO) and La0.6Sr0.4Fe0.8Co0.2O3 perovskite, and thermal treated at 1100°C for 2h. The Ni-modified perovskite catalyst was mixed with a CGO powder and deposited on a CGO electrolyte to form a composite catalytic layer with a proper triple-phase boundary. Anode reduction was carried out in-situ in H2 at 800°C for 2h during cell conditioning. Electrochemical performance was recorded at different times during 100h operation in dry propane. The Ni-modified perovskite showed significantly better performance than the Ni/CGO anode. A power density of about 300mWcm−2 was obtained for the electrolyte supported SOFC in dry propane at 800°C. Structural investigation of the composite anode layer after SOFC operation indicated a modification of the perovskite structure and the occurrence of a La2NiO4 phase. The occurrence of metallic Ni in the Ni/CGO system caused catalyst deactivation due to the formation of carbon deposits. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]