Ni0.85La0.05Mg0.05Ce0.05Ox-delta Based Anode Catalyst for Biogas-Fueled Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Abstract

A lanthanum-, magnesium-, and cerium-doped nickel oxide, Ni0.85La0.05Mg0.05Ce0.05Ox-delta (NLMC), was prepared by a glycine nitrate process and evaluated as an anode catalyst for direct biogas-fueled solid oxide fuel cells. The cell performance was characterized by measuring I-V curves and impedance spectra. A single cell with the NLMC-YSZ anode exhibited a maximum power density of 0.51 W cm(-2) at 750 degrees C with synthetic biogas (60% CH4 and 40% CO2). Furthermore, the NLMC-YSZ based cell was stable when operated under the biogas for 52 h, while the conventional NiO-YSZ based cell failed in 11 h. The results indicated that the incorporation of La2O3, MgO, and CeO2 into NiO caused a uniform distribution of Ni with a smaller particle size and enhanced coking resistance.