In-situ exsolved FeRu alloy nanoparticles on Ruddlesden-Popper oxides for direct hydrocarbon fuel solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract

FeRu alloy (FRA) nanoparticles surface decorated Ruddlesden-Popper type layer perovskite PrSrFe1-xRuxO4+δ (RP-PSFeRu) was prepared by in-situ reduction of the cubic (Pr0.5Sr0.5)0.9Fe0.9Ru0.1O3-δ (P–PSFeRu) in H2 at 800 °C. When used as the SOFC anode material, it has excellent catalytic activity for H2 and hydrocarbon fuels. The La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.83Mg0.17O3-δ electrolyte supported SOFC single cell with RP-PSFeRu-FRA-GDC composite anode can deliver a maximum power density of 0.75 and 0.50 W cm−2 in wet H2 and C3H8 at 800 °C, respectively. Furthermore, the single cell shows a stability outputs at a constant current load of 0.5 A cm−2 in wet H2 and 0.15 A cm−2 in wet C3H8 fuels, indicating an exceptional stability and cooking resistance.