Evaluation of molybdenum carbide as anode catalyst for proton-conducting hydrogen and ethane solid oxide fuel cells

Electrochemical performance, impedance spectroscopy and carbon tolerance analysis show, for the first time, that molybdenum carbide has great potential for application as anode catalyst in proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells. Ethylene and stable power density are coproduced from ethane in proton-conducting SOFC with molybdenum carbide as anode catalyst and BCZY as electrolyte.

Graphical abstractEthane is converted with high selectivity to ethylene and electrical energy simultaneously in proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells with molybdenum carbide as anode catalyst and BCZY as electrolyte.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Molybdenum carbide is shown for the first time to be an effective, stable anode catalyst in electrolyte-supported proton-conducting fuel cell. ► The SOFC generate high power density using H2 or ethane as fuel. ► The SOFC have high selectivity for ethane dehydrogenation to ethylene when using BCZY as electrolyte and LSF as the cathode. ► Molybdenum carbide has high resistance to carbon deposition. ► Molybdenum carbide shows great potential for applications in proton-conducting SOFC.