Partial Oxidation of Isooctane over Ru‐Promoted Nickel–Molybdenum/Cerium–Zirconium Oxide Catalyst at an Intermediate Temperature for Internal Reforming Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Applications

Abstract

In previous work, nickel–molybdenum (NiMo) nanoparticles supported on cerium–zirconium oxide (CZ) catalyst showed excellent catalytic activity and stability for liquid fuel reforming with an improved coking resistance compared with Ni/CZ. Lowering the temperature of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) below 700 °C is vital, because they can reduce the material costs and thermal stresses of SOFCs. However, the performance of NiMo/CZ is insufficient when operated at temperatures below 750 °C. This work aims to improve the activity and coking resistance of NiMo/CZ at a temperature of 700 °C by adding a minimal amount (0.1 wt%) of Ru. The Ru‐promoted sample shows a high reforming activity for partial oxidation of isooctane at 700 °C. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and STEM indicate a smaller Ni crystallite size for NiMoRu/CZ catalyst, which would decrease its tendency to facilitate coke formation. The tubular SOFC with the NiMoRu/CZ as its internal reforming catalyst displays good power density output and performance stability at 200 mA cm−2.