Carbon-resistant Ni1-xCox-Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 anode for solid oxide fuel cells fed with methanol

Ni 1-x Co x O-Ce 0.8 Sm 0.2 O 1.9 (SDC) composite is investigated as an anode material for solid oxide fuel cells with methanol as fuel. The interaction between NiO and SDC phases is enhanced by Co. Besides, Co reduces the particle size and improves the dispersion of Ni 1-x Co x O by inhibiting the grain growth of NiO, which results in larger three-phase boundary in the anode layer. The Ni 0.9 Co 0.1 -SDC anode shows the lowest polarization resistance. A maximum power density of 675 mW cm −2 is achieved by a single cell with Ni 0.9 Co 0.1 -SDC anode and SDC-carbonate composite electrolyte at 700 °C. Co also increases the resistance to carbon deposition of the anode and decreases the graphitization degree of deposited carbon with methanol as fuel. The cell with the Ni 0.9 Co 0.1 -SDC anode exhibits a stable performance during a 500-min discharge period.