Low Ni-Containing Anodes Using Titanate-Based Perovskites for Methane Direct Internal Reforming Power Generation

In this study titanate-based perovskite anodes containing Ni such as Ni-La x Sr 1-x TiO 3 (LST) have been investigated as anodes for direct internal reforming solid oxide fuel cells, which directly utilize hydrocarbons as fuels in the anode. Catalytic activity tests of Ni-titanate cermets were carried out in methane steam reforming, and Ni-LST exhibited comparable activity to Ni-YSZ (yttria-stabilized zirconia). It was found that moderate power generation performance was observed over Ni-LST prepared by the impregnation method when the Ni content was decreased to 10 wt%, whereas almost no current was attained over Ni-YSZ for the decrease in the Ni content. The 10 wt%Ni-LST anode prepared by the impregnation method exhibited stable power generation characteristics in severe direct internal reforming operation at steam-to-carbon ratio of 0.1 at 1000 ºC under a constant current load of 200 mA cm -2 .