Electrochemical behaviour of propane-fed solid oxide fuel cells based on low-Ni content anode catalysts

Two different low Ni content (10 wt.%) anode catalysts were investigated for intermediate temperature (800 degrees C) operation in solid oxide fuel cells fed with dry propane. Both catalysts were prepared by the impregnation of a Ni-precursor on different oxide supports, i.e. gadolinia doped ceria (CGO) and La(0.6)Sr(0.4)Fe(0.8)Co(0.2)O(3) perovskite, and thermal treated at 1100 degrees C for 2 h. The Ni-modified perovskite catalyst was mixed with a CGO powder and deposited on a CGO electrolyte to form a composite catalytic layer with a proper triple-phase boundary. Anode reduction was carried out in-situ in H(2) at 800 degrees C for 2 h during cell conditioning. Electrochemical performance was recorded at different times during 100 h operation in dry propane. The Ni-modified perovskite showed significantly better performance than the Ni/CGO anode. A power density of about 300 mW cm(-2) was obtained for the electrolyte supported SOFC in dry propane at 800 degrees C. Structural investigation of the composite anode layer after SOFC operation indicated a modification of the perovskite structure and the occurrence of a La(2)NiO(4) phase. The occurrence of metallic Ni in the Ni/CGO system caused catalyst deactivation due to the formation of carbon deposits.