A redox-stable direct-methane solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with Sr2FeNb0.2Mo0.8O6−δ double perovskite as anode material

Development of high-performing and redox-stable ceramic oxide electrode materials is a crucial technical step for direct hydrocarbon solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) operating at intermediate temperatures (550-700 °C). Here we report a nickel-free double perovskite, Sr2FeNb0.2Mo0.8O6−δ (SFNM20), for SOFC anode, and this anode shows outstanding performances with high resistance against carbon build-up and redox cycling in hydrocarbon fuels. At 800 °C, the SFNM20 anode shows electrical conductivity of 5.3 S cm−1 in 5% H2 and peak power densities of 520 and 380 mW cm−2 using H2 and CH4 as the fuel, respectively. The cell exhibits a very stable performance under different constant current loads in H2 and CH4 at 700 °C and high redox stability against the gas environment changes in the anode chamber. In addition, the electrode is structurally stable in various fuels, suggesting that it is a feasible material candidate for the electrode of high-performing SOFCs.