(132e) High Performance Molybdenum Dioxide-Based Anode for Liquid-Fueled SOFCs

This paper describes the performance of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) fueled by directly feeding liquid fuels (e.g., premium gasoline) to the anode without using external reformers. The novel component of the fuel cell that enables such operation is the mixed conductivity MoO₂-based anode. Using this anode, a fuel cell demonstrating a power density > 3.0 W m^-2 at 0.6 V under the premium gasoilne feed condition was successfully fabricated. Power density of ~2.0 W cm^-2 at 0.6 V was still measured after 24 h on stream with a continuous feed of gasoline. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination of the anode surface pre- and post-testing showed no evidence of coking, which hints at the reason for the observed stability under the harsh cell operating conditions. The effect of sulfur compounds on both chemical and physical stabilities of MoO₂-based anode under the SOFC operating conditions will be investiaged using various analytical tools. The implication of this preliminary study is that an SOFC using a MoO₂-based anode has potential for generating electrical power from gasoline for future hybrid electric vehicles.