A robust fuel cell operated on nearly dry methane at 500 °C enabled by synergistic thermal catalysis and electrocatalysis

Yu Chen, Ben deGlee, Yu Tang, Ziyun Wang, Bote Zhao, Yuechang Wei, Lei Zhang, Seonyoung Yoo, Kai Pei, Jun Hyuk Kim, Yong Ding, P. Hu, Franklin Feng Tao () and Meilin Liu ()
Additional contact information
Yu Chen: Georgia Institute of Technology
Ben deGlee: Georgia Institute of Technology
Yu Tang: University of Kansas
Ziyun Wang: The Queen’s University of Belfast
Bote Zhao: Georgia Institute of Technology
Yuechang Wei: University of Kansas
Lei Zhang: Georgia Institute of Technology
Seonyoung Yoo: Georgia Institute of Technology
Kai Pei: Georgia Institute of Technology
Jun Hyuk Kim: Georgia Institute of Technology
Yong Ding: Georgia Institute of Technology
P. Hu: The Queen’s University of Belfast
Franklin Feng Tao: University of Kansas
Meilin Liu: Georgia Institute of Technology

Nature Energy, 2018, vol. 3, issue 12, 1042-1050

Abstract: Abstract Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are potentially the most efficient technology for direct conversion of hydrocarbons to electricity. While their commercial viability is greatest at operating temperatures of 300–500 °C, it is extremely difficult to run SOFCs on methane at these temperatures, where oxygen reduction and C–H activation are notoriously sluggish. Here we report a robust SOFC that enabled direct utilization of nearly dry methane (with ~3.5% H2O) at 500 °C (achieving a peak power density of 0.37 W cm−2) with no evidence of coking after ~550 h operation. The cell consists of a PrBa0.5Sr0.5Co1.5Fe0.5O5+δ nanofibre-based cathode and a BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.1Yb0.1O3–δ-based multifunctional anode coated with Ce0.90Ni0.05Ru0.05O2 (CNR) catalyst for reforming of CH4 to H2 and CO. The high activity and coking resistance of the CNR is attributed to a synergistic effect of cationic Ni and Ru sites anchored on the CNR surface, as confirmed by in situ/operando experiments and computations.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41560-018-0262-5

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