Direct utilization of carbonaceous fuels in multifunctional SOFC anodes for the electrosynthesis of chemicals or the generation of electricity

The difficulty associated with the direct utilization of anhydrous carbonaceous fuels in a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) was overcome with the development of new electrocatalysts for multifunctional anodes. Two approaches are herein proposed. In one case the SOFC anode was designed for the electrosynthesis of C2-type hydrocarbons, co-generating thermal and electric energies from the electrochemical oxidative coupling of methane. It was composed of a new ceramic material, based on lanthanum aluminate, LaAl0.50Mn0.50O3, produced by impregnation of nitrates through a porous electrolyte material skeleton. In the other case a SOFC anode composed of Cu-Zr1-xCexO2-δ-Al2O3 was designed for the direct utilization of anhydrous ethanol to promote the electrochemical oxidation of ethanol and/or of the products therefrom formed during its thermal decomposition. Both anode materials presented convenient microstructure, high mechanical stability, selective electrocatalytic activity for the electrosynthesis of chemicals or the generation of electricity and resistance to carbon coking and clogging.