Carbon tolerance, electrochemical performance and stability of solid oxide fuel cells with Ni/yttria stabilized zirconia anodes impregnated with Sn and operated with methane

► The addition of Sn did not improve the carbon tolerance of Ni/YSZ anodes in CH4. ► The electrochemical performance decreased with Sn content. ► High amounts of Sn (5%) may impede the carbon removal reactions. ► The stability in CH4 was similar for the Ni/YSZ and Sn-impregnated Ni/YSZ anodes. ► Sn content in the anode decreased after operation at 1073 K for 30 h.