Sm0.5Ba0.5MnO3-δ anode for solid oxide fuel cells with hydrogen and methanol as fuels

Sm0.5Ba0.5MnO3-δ (SBMO) has been synthesized with the Pechini method and investigated as an anode material of solid oxide fuel cells with H2 and methanol as fuels. A cubic perovskite structure is formed after reduction. The reduction process of SBMO is studied with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and temperature programmed reduction techniques. The electrical conductivities of an SBMO sample sintered at 950 °C are 1.15 and 0.10 S cm−1 at 850 °C in air and H2, respectively. A single cell with an SBMO anode layer and a 300-μm La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O3-δ electrolyte layer exhibits a maximum power density (Pmax) of about 150 mW cm−2 at 850 °C with H2 as fuel. The electrical conductivity of the anode layer with methanol as fuel is improved by the moderate carbon deposition, and the Pmax increases to about 415 mW cm−2. The cell fed with methanol also shows a promising stability.