Dehydrogenation of methylcyclohexane using solid oxide fuel cell-A smart energy conversion

Dehydrogenation of methylcyclohexane (MCH), a hydrogen carrier, is investigated using a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). When an SOFC is operated with a cell temperature of 420 degrees C and a current density of 16 mA cm-2, toluene and benzene, the products of MCH's dehydrogenation reaction, are observed, with a molar ratio of 94:6. When the cell is operated at 490 degrees C and 90 mA cm-2, in addition of toluene and benzene, 1,4-dioxane is formed at a molar ratio of >86%, indicating an oxidative dehydrogenation reaction of MCH. These findings indicate that an SOFC successfully extracts electrons directly from MCH and generates electricity by utilizing the SOFC's oxygen ion conduction function. The energy required for this process is expected to be less than that required for conventional MCH dehydrogenation. Furthermore, we reveal that SOFCs can be applied to the oxygen displacement reaction of benzene rings.

Automated summary

Dehydrogenation of methylcyclohexane (MCH) was studied using a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Toluene and benzene were observed as the products of MCH's dehydrogenation reaction at a cell temperature of 420 degrees C and a current density of 16 mA cm-2, with a molar ratio of 94:6. When the cell was operated at 490 degrees C and 90 mA cm-2, in addition to toluene and benzene, 1,4-dioxane was formed at a molar ratio of >86%, indicating an oxidative dehydrogenation reaction of MCH. Furthermore, it was discovered that SOFCs can be applied to the oxygen displacement reaction of benzene rings.