Optimization of a direct carbon fuel cell for operation below 700 °C

Direct carbon fuel cells (DCFCs) are the most efficient technology to convert solid carbon energy to electricity and thus could have a major impact on reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The development of DCFCs to commercialisation stage is largely prohibited by their poor power densities due to the high resistive loss from anode. Here, we report a high-performance Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9 electrolyte-supported hybrid DCFC with Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ cathode and optimised anode configuration. The catalytic oxidation of carbon is improved, which results in an area specific resistance of only 0.41 Ω cm2 at 650 °C at the anode. The hybrid DCFC achieves a peak power density of 113.1 mW cm−2 at 650 °C operating on activated carbon. The stability of the fuel cell has also been improved due to the optimised current collection.

► SDC electrolyte-supported hybrid DCFC was optimised.
► High electrochemical performance has been achieved in the DCFC.
►  The long term stability of the hybrid DCFCs has been improved.