Use of Patterned Metal Anodes for Studying Hydrogen Electrochemical Oxidation Reaction in Proton-Conducting SOFCs

Abstract

Despite the great potential for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) for clean power generation at intermediate temperature (e.g., 400-700 oC), there are significant knowledge gaps about fundamental aspects for such cells. In particular, very little is known about the kinetics and reaction mechanism for the hydrogen electrochemical oxidation reaction in proton-conducting SOFCs. Here, we will report the preliminary results of our study using patterned metal anode over acceptor-doped Ba(Ce,Zr)O3 proton-conducting electrolyte. The effects of various factors such as choice of anode metal (e.g., nickel versus copper), anodic bias voltage, gas atmosphere, temperature, and electrode geometry (e.g., triple phase boundary TPB length and electrode area) on the electrochemical behaviors of proton-conducting SOFC will be studied. The results will be correlated to previous studies for hydrogen electrode reaction in conventional oxide-ion conducting SOFCs, and the implications on the fundamental reaction mechanism for the hydrogen electrode reaction involving proton-conducting oxides will be discussed.