In situ embedding of CoFe nanocatalysts into Sr3FeMoO7 matrix as high-performance anode materials for solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract

Anode materials with excellent catalytic activity, good stability, and enhanced tolerance to carbon deposition are highly desired for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Herein, CoFe (CF) nanoalloy catalysts are homogeneously in-situ embedded on Sr3FeMoO7 (RP-SFM) efficient electrically conductive perovskite matrix through reduction of Sr2FeMo2/3Co1/3O6−δ precursor. The particle size of CoFe alloy is in the range of 10–50 nm, and the electrical conductivity enhances from about 8 to 17 S cm−1 to 49-63 S cm−1 after Sr2FeMo2/3Co1/3O6−δ reduction. The maximum power density of SOFCs with the RP-SFM@CF-SDC(Sm0.2Ce0·8O1.9) composite anode in H2 fuel reaches to 2.12 W cm−2 at 850 °C, which is about 1.4 times than that of the SOFCs with traditional Ni-SDC anode. Moreover, the RP-SFM@CF-SDC anodes also demonstrate excellent resistance to carbon deposition and high power density when C3H8 hydrocarbon is used as fuel. The improved catalytic activity results from the efficient electronic/ion conductive paths, abundant CoFe active sites, together with the enlarged trip phase boundaries (TPBs).