Catalyst layer supported solid oxide fuel cells running on methane

Abstract A novel NiMo-yttira-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) catalyst-layer supported tubular single cell is developed for solid oxide fuel cells running on methane. NiMo nano particles are incorporated into the porous YSZ support as the reforming layer. The reforming performance of the NiMo-YSZ layer is investigated with respect to the NiMo loading and the optimum NiMo amount is found to be 6–8 wt% in the layer. At 750 °C, the methane conversion reaches 90%, and the H2 and CO yield could achieve 85% and 40%, respectively. This catalyst layer is integrated as the supporting layer in a tubular single cell for the dual functionality of stable mechanical support and high catalytic reforming activity. The internal reforming property of the NiMo-YSZ support and the electrochemical performance of the single cell are investigated with respect to the O2/C ratio in CH4/Air at 750 °C, and the optimum O2/C is determined to be 0.4. The single cell presents a maximum power density of 354 mW cm−2 and good performance stability during 50 h operation in CH4/Air. The excellent electrochemical performance demonstrates the advantages of the new catalyst-layer supported single cell for direct operation in CH4/Air.