Direct utilization of methanol in solid oxide fuel cells: An electrochemical and catalytic study

This study deals with an investigation of the direct methanol oxidation in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs). A new catalyst formulation characterized by mixed electronic – ionic conductivity was developed for the anodic process. A composite Ni-modified La0.6Sr0.4Fe0.8Co0.2O3–Ce0.9Gd0.1O2 electrocatalyst was prepared by incipient wetness and subsequent ball milling. The obtained composite material was calcined at 1100 °C for 2 h in static air. After thermal activation, Ni was mainly present as highly dispersed La2NiO4 particles on a La-depleted Sr(Fe0.5Co0.5)O2.88 perovskite. The subsequent thermal reduction at 800 °C in hydrogen caused the occurrence of highly dispersed metallic Ni on the electrocatalyst surface. The surface area of the composite material was determined by BET measurement. The reduced catalyst was used as anode in intermediate temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (IT-SOFCs) directly fed with methanol. Ex-situ catalytic studies for the composite anode material under steam reforming, partial oxidation and autothermal reforming of methanol were carried out at 800 °C. A comparison of SOFC performance at 800 °C in the presence of syngas or methanol as fuels was carried out. The performance achieved for the direct utilization of methanol (350 mW cm−2) appears promising for SOFC application in remote and micro-distributed energy generation as well as for portable power sources.

Graphical abstractSchematic illustration of a SOFC operating with direct utilization of methanol.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Ni was mainly present as highly dispersed La2NiO4 particles on a La-depleted perovskite. ► A reasonable steady-state performance was reached under all reaction conditions. ► No carbon and good performance in terms of stability and activity were detected for the catalyst. ► We found that in the presence of ionic oxygen (O2−), dry methanol can be directly oxidized to CO2. ► The SOFC fed with methanol showed a performance approaching a power density of 350 mW cm-2.