Preparation of Electrode Catalyst for SOFC Reactor by Ultrasonic Mist Pyrolysis of Aqueous Solution

Abstract

Ultrasonic mist pyrolysis was applied to electrode preparation for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) type reactor. La_1.8Al_0.2O₃ anode catalyst was prepared on heated YSZ substrate by the pyrolysis of the mist of lanthanum nitrate and aluminum nitrate mixed aqueous solution generated by ultrasonic transducer. Among several preparation methods, this process was most effective for the activity of anode catalyst. Operating conditions such as aqueous solution concentration, temperature and ultrasonic power were examined. The effects of these conditions on the particle characteristic such as supported amount and size were investigated. Changes of catalyst in the crystallographic characteristics were also evaluated by XRD. The particle size of the anode catalyst on YSZ substrate was found to be important for the oxidative coupling of methane in SOFC reactor. Smaller particle size was preferred for this reaction. The particle size could be easily controlled by the operating conditions of ultrasonic mist pyrolysis and then optimum preparation condition was confirmed.