Electrochemical CO 2 reduction with power generation in SOFCs with Cu-added LSCF–GDC cathode

Abstract

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) unit was constructed with Ni–GDC (gadolinia-doped ceria) as the anode, YSZ as the electrolyte, and Cu-added La 0.58Sr 0.4Co 0.2Fe 0.8O 3–δ–GDC as the cathode. Electrochemical CO 2 reduction occurs. The CO formation rate, the CO 2 conversion and the generated current density increase with increasing CO 2 concentration and temperature. The CO 2 conversion rate equals exactly the CO formation rate. No carbon deposition occurs. The activation energy is 2.72 kcal mol −1. The electrochemical CO 2 reduction (dissociation) can have much lower activation barrier than the catalytic one. Simultaneous CO 2 reduction with power generation in SOFCs can be feasible.