(673b) Strontium Cobalt Ferrite Perovskite Materials As Anode Catalysts for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: Effect of Ce Substitution At the A-Site
AIChE Annual Meeting
2013
2013 AIChE Annual Meeting
Catalysis and Reaction Engineering Division
Electrocatalysis and Photoelectrocatalysis: Fundamentals and Applications II
Thursday, November 7, 2013 - 12:50pm to 1:10pm
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) are direct electrochemical energy conversion devices considered to have very high prospects as an alternative source of power generation, due to their high efficiency and fuel flexibility. Their high operating temperature makes it possible to internally reform hydrocarbons for the production of hydrogen fuel, negating the need for expensive external reformers. The option of using the exhaust gases for cogeneration of power can also improve the efficiency of SOFCs to almost 80% [1]. However, the state-of-the-art Ni-YSZ (yttria-stabilized zirconia) anode is highly prone to coking in the presence of hydrocarbons and is readily poisoned by even ppm levels of sulfur in the fuel [2]. Perovskite-type oxides of the type ABO3 have shown promise as anode electro-catalysts for SOFCs. Incorporation of a variety of elements into the A- and B-sites of these materials can be used to tailor their properties and make them active for oxidation reactions [3]. The present work is aimed at examining the effect of cerium substitution at the A-site of SrCo0.2Fe0.8O3-δperovskites as sulfur-tolerant, anode catalysts for solid oxide fuel cells. The material’s stability under typical anode conditions will be evaluated. Its catalytic activity for methane oxidation, its tolerance to sulfur poisoning along with its performance in an actual button cell will also be discussed.
References:
1. Yokokawa, H., et al., Fundamental mechanisms limiting solid oxide fuel cell durability. Journal of Power Sources. 182(2): p. 400-412.
2. Matsuzaki, Y. and I. Yasuda, The poisoning effect of sulfur-containing impurity gas on a SOFC anode: Part I. Dependence on temperature, time, and impurity concentration. Solid State Ionics, 2000. 132(3-4): p. 261-269.
3. Voorhoeve, R.J.H., et al., Perovskite Oxides: Materials Science in Catalysis. Science, 1977. 195: p. 827-833.