Mixed conductor anodes: Ni as electrocatalyst for hydrogen conversion

Five types of anodes for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) are examined on an yttria-stabilised zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte by impedance spectroscopy at 850 degreesC in hydrogen. The examined porous anodes are a Ni/Zr(0.92)Y(0.16)O(2.08) (Ni/YSZ) cermet, a Ni/Ce(0.9)Gd(0.1)O(1.95) (Ni/CGI) cermet, a Ce(0.6)Gd(0.4)O(1.8) (CG4) ceramic, a La(0.75)Sr(0.25)Cr(0.97)V(0.03)O(3) (LSCV) ceramic and a Ti(0.22) Y(0.16)Zr(0.92)O(2.52) (TiYSZ) ceramic, Addition of small amounts ( approximate to I w/o) of Ni to the electrode surface is found to improve electrode performance on mixed electronic and ionic conductors (MIEC's), distinctly in the low-frequency part of the impedance spectra.

An effect of isotope exchange (H(2)/H(2)O to D(2)/D(2)O) is observed for all anodes. The low-frequency limitation is suggested to be hydrogen adsorption and/or dissociation on the surface of MIEC electrodes, (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.