Lanthanum promoted NiO-SDC anode for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells fueled with methane

► NiO-SDC anode was doped with lanthanum to improve coke resistance in intermediate temperature SOFC. ► La-NiO-SDC anode had 30% improved max. power density and better stability in CH4 than NiO-SDC. ► The Ni0.95La0.05O-SDC anode exhibited similar performance in H2 and CH4 at 600 °C. ► La prevented NiO coarsening giving rise to finer structure and more uniform distribution.