Enhancement effect of catalyst support on indirect hydrogen production from propane partial oxidation towards commercial solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) applications

Utilization of propane in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is desired for commercial applications. However, the susceptibility of conventional Ni-based anode to coking is still a technical challenge. Developing an efficient catalyst for hydrogen production through partial oxidation of propane is a feasible approach to address this issue. In fact, hydrogen production from propane partial oxidation is profoundly determined by catalyst performance, which further affects the fuel cell efficiency. In this study, a robust and efficient catalyst is developed by incorporating inexpensive TiO2 into Ni-Co/Al2O3 catalyst. The results suggested that an appropriate amount of TiO2 in catalyst support could regulate the interaction between active metal and Al2O3 support therefore inhibiting catalyst carbon deposition and sintering. Also, TiO2 addition is conducive to the catalyst regeneration process by reducing the activation energy of oxidative decarburization. Hydrogen yield was efficiently promoted by the synthesized catalyst. Consequently, under the equivalent hydrogen (160 ml/min) produced over the catalyst, the SOFCs, with a cathode area of 15 cm2, display impressive performance (maximum power density, 404 mW/cm2) and excellent stability. Through cost-benefit analysis, the application of the synthesized catalyst is considered for great advantages in capital and energy saving. Ultimately, this work might offer a novel point of view for developing a low-cost, robust and efficient catalyst towards indirect hydrogen production for SOFCs.