Improvement of multi-layer anode for direct ethanol Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Anodes for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) that are capable of directly using hydrocarbon fuels without external reforming have been of great interest in the recent years. We have fabricated a two-layer structure containing a Cu–CeO2 catalyst layer by tape casting and screen printing technology. The interface combination between the Cu–CeO2 catalyst layer and the Ni–YSZ-supported anode issues importantly for the stability of the anode structure. In this paper, a Ni–CeO2 interlayer was added between these two layers to improve the long-term stability of the multi-layer anode. Meanwhile, the exit gas of the single cell was also analyzed by a gas chromatographer (GC) to determine the reaction mechanism of the ethanol fuel in the anode.