Performance of Ni_0.8−xCu_0.2M_x (M = Fe and Co) alloy-based cermet anodes for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells fueled with syngas

Abstract

The performance of Ni-based trimetallic alloy cermet anodes, Ni_0.8−xCu_0.2M_x (M = Fe and Co; x = 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3)/Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_1.9 (SDC), was investigated for intermediate-temperature (500–700°C) solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs), using humidified (3% H₂O) model syngas with a molar ratio of H₂/CO = 3/2 as the fuel. Though doping Fe or Co 10 mol % into the Ni_0.8Cu_0.2/SDC anode led the cell performance to the increase, the cell performance decreased as Fe or Co content increased further. On the one hand, doping Fe or Co into the Ni_0.8Cu_0.2/SDC anode further effectively inhibited carbon deposition owing to CO on the anode. Our results suggest that the Ni_0.7Cu_0.2Fe_0.1/SDC and Ni_0.7Cu_0.2Co_0.1/SDC anodes are more promising materials than Ni_0.8Cu_0.2/SDC anode for syngas fuel in IT-SOFCs.