Nickel-free SOFC anode for ethanol electrocatalysis

In this paper the development of an anode material capable of electro-oxidising primary fuels in an SOFC is proposed. Due to the issues presented by nickel-based anodes regarding direct utilisation of carbon-rich fuels, that have been well-scrutinised within the literature, a ceria-Co-Cu-based anode development has been the target of this work. X-ray patterns for the electrocatalyst powder show the presence of ceria and cobalt oxide, whereas for the anode surface, they unveil the formation of ceria, cobalt and impregnated copper upon reduction. Temperature-programmed reduction of the ceria-Co powder showed the ability of cobalt oxide to fully reduce and the partial reduction of ceria, as expected, leaving an oxygen-deficient lattice. The nickel-free material has shown the ability to operate as an SOFC anode with carbonaceous fuels and hydrogen. The microstructural phase distribution was assessed aided by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.