Ce-substituted LSCM as new anode material for SOFC operating in dry methane

LSCM substituted on the A site of the perovskite by 10 at.% of cerium, has been synthesised and examined as a potential anode material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). La0.65Ce0.1Sr0.25Cr0.5Mn0.5O3 − δ material, fired at 1100 °C in argon, exhibits a rhombohedral structure. At 1185 K and at low pO2, its electrical conductivity is similar to that of non-substituted LSCM. Good electrochemical performance was achieved using La0.65Ce0.1Sr0.25Cr0.5Mn0.5O3 – δ as anode with a polarisation resistance of 0.2 and 1.6 Ω cm2 at 1173 K in, respectively, wet, 3% H2O hydrogen and wet methane, i.e. without using excess steam content. In particular the Ce modification enhances performance without additional microstructural modification and increases OCV in moist methane.