BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.1Yb0.1O3−δ as highly active and carbon tolerant anode for direct hydrocarbon solid oxide fuel cells

• BZCYYb perovskite is evaluated as a potential anode material for the first time.
• Excellent performance of BZCYYb anode is obtained both in H2 and CH4 atmosphere.
• BZCYYb anode exhibits superb carbon resistance in the absence of excess steam.

BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.1Yb0.1O3−δ (BZCYYb) perovskite is synthesized and examined as an alternative anode material for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs) based on direct hydrocarbon fuels, using polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. Single-phased BZCYYb anode shows an excellent activity for both hydrogen and methane oxidation reactions, achieving a polarization resistance of 0.25 and 0.93 Ω cm2, and overpotential of 20 and 202 mV at 100 mA cm−2 and 750 °C in wet H2 (3% H2O/97% H2) and wet CH4 (3% H2O/97% CH4), respectively. The electrocatalytic activity of BZCYYb anodes is significantly higher than that of the (La,Sr)(Cr,Mn)O3 anodes as reported in the literature. Furthermore, BZCYYb exhibits excellent resistance to carbon deposition. The present study demonstrates that BZCYYb perovskite is a promising alternative anode material for direct hydrocarbon fuels based SOFCs.