Improved performance of ammonia-fueled solid oxide fuel cell with SSZ thin film electrolyte and Ni-SSZ anode functional layer

Ammonia offers several advantages over hydrogen as an alternative fuel. However, using ammonia as a hydrogen source for fuel cells has not been received enough attention. In present paper, Scandia-stabilized Zirconia (SSZ) thin film electrolyte and Ni-SSZ anode functional layer were developed by tape casting in order to obtain high power output performance in ammonia, the results of a SOFC running on ammonia were described and its performance was compared with that when running on hydrogen. In order to improve the performance of the cell at higher temperatures, the anode was modified by iron through infiltration. A direct comparison of the performance of the modified cell running on either hydrogen or ammonia showed that the cell in ammonia generated slightly higher power densities at 700 and 750 °C. The performance in ammonia, using the anode catalyst, was comparable to that in hydrogen indicating ammonia could be treated as a promising alternative fuel by selecting an appropriate catalyst.

► The cell with SSZ thin film electrolyte was prepared by tape casting method.
► Ni-SSZ anode functional layer was applied for improving the cell performance.
► The as prepared cell showed high performance both in ammonia and in hydrogen.
► The addition of iron accelerated the ammonia decomposition rate.
► The cell with iron-modified anode showed improved cell performance.