DEVELOPMENT OF SOLID OXIDE ELECTROLYSIS CELL CATHODES FOR DIRECT METHANATION IN CO2/H2O CO-ELECTROLYSIS

Abstract

Solid oxide electrolysis cells can produce syngas from H2O and CO2 by utilizing renewable energy-derived electricity (co-electrolysis). When operation temperature is lowered, methanation reaction occurs in cathode and direct methane synthesis will be realized. In this study, Ni-Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 cathode was impregnated by Ru, Co and Pd. From catalytic analyses, it was shown that hydrogen spillover from noble metals to adjacent Ni species played a role in enhancing CO2 methanation activity. In electrochemical tests, both CO2 conversion and CH4 selectivity increased along with applied potential. Cathode surface can be electron-rich under polarization, and that might affect the catalytic performance.