Advances in the development of titanates for anodes in SOFC

Abstract

Abstract Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are highly efficient energy conversion devices with the advantage that a wide variety of hydrocarbon fuels can be used directly. Recently, the field of research on anodic materials of SOFC has advanced rapidly, with special emphasis on the development of materials with resistance to H2S as well as to the formation of coke. Therefore, it is crucial to design new anodic materials with higher catalytic activity, stability, tolerance to coke deposition and to sulfur poisoning. Due to their stability in redox conditions, the titanates are among the most studied perovskites. Strontium titanate (SrTiO3) is a good electronic conductor at low partial pressures of oxygen and during redox cycles and presents excellent dimensional and chemical stabilities as well as sulfur tolerance. However, for application as the anode in a SOFC, it must be doped to improve important properties such as the conductivity and power density. This article describes the progress in the knowledge of titanates with perovskite structure with potential application as anodes for SOFC.