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 to 500C, 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 at 500C with no evidence of coking after 550h operation. The cell consists of a nanofibre-based cathode and a Ba-Zr-Ce-Y-Yb-O-based multifunctional anode coated with CeO2 doped with Ni and Ru 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.

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

2019 Spring National Meeting

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