Excessive Na-Doped La0.75Sr0.25Cr0.5Fe0.4Cu0.1O3-δ Perovskite as an Additional Internal Reforming Catalyst for Direct Carbon Dioxide-Ethanol Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Direct ethanol solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are the most energy-efficient and low-carbon technology for renewable power generation from biomass fuels, but they are hindered by carbon deposition on the Ni-based cermet anode. In this work, excessive Na+ dopant into La0.75Sr0.25Cr0.5Fe0.4Cu0.1O3-δ (LSCFC) perovskite was used as an additional internal reforming catalyst for direct carbon dioxide-ethanol SOFCs. Excessive Na+-doped LSCFC (N-LSCFC) demonstrated great potential in promoting electrochemical performance and internal reforming process fueled by carbon dioxide-ethanol mixture, because more oxygen vacancies and the precipitated Cu nano catalyst were helpful for the improvement of internal reforming and carbon tolerance. Electrochemical investigations proved that the vertical-microchannel anode supported the single cells using the N-LSCFC-Gd0.1Ce0.9O2-δ (GDC) internal reforming catalyst, showing a peak power density of 1044.41 and 855.56 mW/cm2 at 800 °C fueled by H2 and 50% CO2-50% C2H5OH, respectively. The preceding results indicate that excessive Na+ doping strategy into LSCFC as the additional internal reforming catalyst can improve the electrochemical performance and internal reforming process of direct carbon dioxide-ethanol SOFCs.