A fuel-flexible ceramic-based anode for solid oxide fuel cells

Results are presented on a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anode material designed for use with C-containing fuels: a composite of an electronically conducting ceramic, La0.8Sr0.2Cr0.8Mn0.2O3-delta, an ionically conducting ceramic, Ce(0.9)Gd(0.1)O(1.9)5 (GDC), and a small fraction Ni. These ceramic-based anodes were tested in SOFCs with GDC bulk electrolytes. The anode performance was comparable to that for Ni-GDC anodes with hydrogen and methane fuels. The anodes also provided good performance with propane and butane and, unlike Ni-GDC, there was little or no coking. The 4 wt % Ni content in the anode was necessary to obtain good performance, indicating that a small amount of Ni provides a substantial electrocatalytic effect while not causing coking. Initial cell test results showed good cell stability and indicated that the anodes were not affected by cyclic oxidation and reduction. (C) 2002 The Electrochemical Society.