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A robust fuel cell operated on nearly dry methane at 500 °C enabled by synergistic thermal catalysis and electrocatalysis

Author

Listed:
  • Yu Chen

    (Georgia Institute of Technology)

  • Ben deGlee

    (Georgia Institute of Technology)

  • Yu Tang

    (University of Kansas)

  • Ziyun Wang

    (The Queen’s University of Belfast)

  • Bote Zhao

    (Georgia Institute of Technology)

  • Yuechang Wei

    (University of Kansas)

  • Lei Zhang

    (Georgia Institute of Technology)

  • Seonyoung Yoo

    (Georgia Institute of Technology)

  • Kai Pei

    (Georgia Institute of Technology)

  • Jun Hyuk Kim

    (Georgia Institute of Technology)

  • Yong Ding

    (Georgia Institute of Technology)

  • P. Hu

    (The Queen’s University of Belfast)

  • Franklin Feng Tao

    (University of Kansas)

  • Meilin Liu

    (Georgia Institute of Technology)

Abstract

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are potentially the most efficient technology for direct conversion of hydrocarbons to electricity. While their commercial viability is greatest at operating temperatures of 300–500 °C, it is extremely difficult to run SOFCs on methane at these temperatures, where oxygen reduction and C–H activation are notoriously sluggish. Here we report a robust SOFC that enabled direct utilization of nearly dry methane (with ~3.5% H2O) at 500 °C (achieving a peak power density of 0.37 W cm−2) with no evidence of coking after ~550 h operation. The cell consists of a PrBa0.5Sr0.5Co1.5Fe0.5O5+δ nanofibre-based cathode and a BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.1Yb0.1O3–δ-based multifunctional anode coated with Ce0.90Ni0.05Ru0.05O2 (CNR) catalyst for reforming of CH4 to H2 and CO. The high activity and coking resistance of the CNR is attributed to a synergistic effect of cationic Ni and Ru sites anchored on the CNR surface, as confirmed by in situ/operando experiments and computations.

Suggested Citation

  • Yu Chen & Ben deGlee & Yu Tang & Ziyun Wang & Bote Zhao & Yuechang Wei & Lei Zhang & Seonyoung Yoo & Kai Pei & Jun Hyuk Kim & Yong Ding & P. Hu & Franklin Feng Tao & Meilin Liu, 2018. "A robust fuel cell operated on nearly dry methane at 500 °C enabled by synergistic thermal catalysis and electrocatalysis," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 3(12), pages 1042-1050, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:3:y:2018:i:12:d:10.1038_s41560-018-0262-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41560-018-0262-5
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    Cited by:

    1. Dafeng Zhang & Mengnan Li & Xue Yong & Haoqiang Song & Geoffrey I. N. Waterhouse & Yunfei Yi & Bingjie Xue & Dongliang Zhang & Baozhong Liu & Siyu Lu, 2023. "Construction of Zn-doped RuO2 nanowires for efficient and stable water oxidation in acidic media," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Kyungpyo Hong & Mingi Choi & Yonggyun Bae & Jihong Min & Jaeyeob Lee & Donguk Kim & Sehee Bang & Han-Koo Lee & Wonyoung Lee & Jongsup Hong, 2023. "Direct methane protonic ceramic fuel cells with self-assembled Ni-Rh bimetallic catalyst," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.

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