Catalytic and electrocatalytic reactions in solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract

Abstract Solid oxide electrolyte cells operating on H2 and CO as the fuel have been studied extensively in recent years and may soon provide a viable option for power generation. It has been shown recently that the same type of cells, with appropriate catalytic electrodes, can be used to carry out a number of industrially important complete or partial oxidation reactions. In this “chemical cogeneration” mode of operation valuable chemicals and electrical power are produced simultaneously. Using similar solid oxide cells operating in the oxygen pump mode, it has been found recently that the rate and product selectivity of several catalytic reactions can be altered significantly. This reversible electrochemical modification of the activity and selectivity of metal catalysts is of significant theoretical and practical interest. Progress in the areas of the use of solid electrolyte cells for chemical cogeneration and for catalytic activity and selectivity enhancement is reviewed, including some very recent unpublished results. The use of solid oxide cells for mechanistic studies of catalytic phenomena is also briefly surveyed.