Improvement of Ni/SDC anode by alkaline earth metal oxide addition for direct methane–solid oxide fuel cells

The anodic performances of Ni/CeO2–Sm2O3(Ni/SDC) modified by the addition of alkaline earth metal oxides (MgO, CaO, and SrO) were investigated for direct oxidation of CH4 in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Although the initial power density of cell with Ni/SDC anode modified by the addition of CaO was slightly lower than that of cell with Ni/SDC, the former anode exhibited an excellent stability compared to the latter one. Such a high stability of Ni–CaO/SDC anode may come from the inhibition of carbon deposition in addition to the retained ionic conductivity of anode.