Optimization of anode material composed of Y-doped SrTiO3 and metal and/or oxide additives for solid oxide fuel cells

Y-doped SrTiO3 (YST) is currently used as an effective anode component to solve the shortcomings of conventional Ni-based cermet anodes. In this study, YST-based composite with a different ceramic oxide including samaria-doped ceria (SDC) or yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) was developed as an anode material to evaluate the electrocatalytic performance in hydrogen and methane fuels. The composites showed a good potential in electrical conductivity and compatibility with YSZ electrolyte in the anodic condition. The cell with YST–SDC anode attained the better performance than that with YST–YSZ anode, which was ascribable to the high electrical conductivity and electrocatalytic activity of SDC towards the oxidation of fuels. Addition of nickel remarkably enhanced the electrochemical performance and the stability of the anodes. With 10 wt% of nickel oxide loading, the performance was significantly increased under the operation in humidified hydrogen and methane. Note that in methane fuel, the performance deterioration has not been observed over the short-term operation for 20 h.

► The effect of ceramic oxides in YST composite anodes was evaluated.
► SDC offers several advantages to the composite of YST–SDC comparing with the YST–YSZ.
► Addition of nickel remarkably enhances the electrochemical performance and stability of anodes.
► Ni/YST–SDC offers certain advantages with stable performance over the severe condition.