Enabling catalysis of Ru–CeO 2 for propane oxidation in low temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract

This paper reports on integration of a supported thin film catalyst as a reformer, consisting of nano-scale ruthenium particles well dispersed in the ceria matrix, into the anode chamber of a ceria-electrolyte solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Operation on the propane–air fuel mixture yields maximum power densities of 395 mW cm −2, 280 mW cm −2 and 160 mW cm −2 at 500, 450 and 400 °C, respectively. In comparison, the output power densities drop to 298 mW cm −2 at 500 °C and <10 mW cm −2 at 450 °C in the absence of the catalyst layer. The substantially enhanced performance can be explained by the high catalytic activity of the Ru–CeO 2 layer for propane partial oxidation reactions, producing higher amount of hydrogen available for the fuel cell operation and thereby reducing the anodic polarization resistance.