Surface decoration of ceria nanoparticles as propane/air partial oxidation catalyst integrated in a micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cell

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this study, a ceria (CeO2) support, synthesized using a hydrothermal method, was decorated with nano-sized Ni-particles using an impregnation method. A micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cell (MTSOFC) was integrated with a corundum tube, in which the Ni-CeO2 (10 wt% Ni) served as the catalyst for partial oxidation (POX). Using propane and air, there was no noticeable deactivation in the MTSOFC over a 48-h period. The maximum power density (MPD) was 0.57 W cm −2 at 700°C using propane and air (12.3 vol% propane), which is 0.01 W cm−2 higher than the cell using 20 vol% of hydrogen (0.56 W cm −2). When using propane and air as fuel and operating at 700°C, MPD values for intermediate and inlet current collector modes were 0.57 and 0.48 W cm−2, respectively. Carbon deposition at the fuel inlet was determined to be the primary cause of low current collection efficiency.