Electrochemical performance of a solid oxide fuel cell with an anode based on Cu–Ni/CeO2 for methane direct oxidation

Abstract

A CuNi–CeO2/YSZ/LSF solid oxide fuel cell has been fabricated and tested with respect to its electrochemical activity for direct oxidation of dry methane. The electrodes have been prepared by impregnation of corresponding porous YSZ layers, using reverse microemulsions as impregnating medium for the anode (constituted by Cu–Ni at 1:1 atomic ratio in combination with CeO2). On the basis of I–V electrochemical testing complemented by impedance spectroscopy (IS) measurements it is shown the ability of the SOFC for direct oxidation of methane in a rather stable way. Differences in the behavior as a function of operating temperature (1023–1073 K) are also revealed and examined on the basis of analysis of IS spectra.