Phosphine Effects on Ni-Based Anode Material and Related SOFC Button Cell Performance Investigation

Abstract

Phosphine (PH3) is one of the trace contaminants found in coal-derived syngas that degrade the solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) anode structural properties and electrochemical performances. In this research, the SOFC button cells are exposed to ppm level of PH3 in dry and moist hydrogen under OCV and loading conditions to study PH3 poisoning effect on SOFC performance. A modified Sagnac optical system is utilized for in-situ SOFC anode surface IR emission measurements as a function of current density, along with the cell electrochemical performance investigation. The experimental results indicate that the Ni-based SOFC anode is more susceptible to degradation due to PH3 in moist hydrogen than in dry hydrogen condition. The degradation effects of PH3 on the SOFCs anode are also analyzed by post experiment characterization using SEM, EDX, and XRD.