Coal syngas reactivity over Ni-added LSCF–GDC anode of solid oxide fuel cells

Coal syngases of various CO/H2 ratios were used as the fuel over anode of solid oxide fuel cells. Anode materials of La0.58Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (LSCF)–gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) composites and Ni-added LSCF–GDC were tested. The maximum power density of CO is higher than that of H2 and increases as the CO concentration in the CO + H2 mixture increases. As the LSCF content in the LSCF–GDC composites increases, the H2 reactivity increases but the CO reactivity decreases. The maximum power density of Ni-added LSCF–GDC is highest but the steady-state current density of LSCF–GDC can be higher than that of Ni-added LSCF–GDC via an induction period of activation.