V2O3 Anode Catalyst for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell using H2S-containing Hydrogen

A new vanadium oxide based anode catalyst V2O3-YSZ was developed for the purpose of direct use of hydrogen sulfide-containing hydrogen in solid oxide fuel cell systems. H2S-containing hydrogen (H2 balanced with 5000 ppmv H2S) and air were used as anode and cathode feed gas, respectively. The V2O3-YSZ catalyst showed good catalytic activity for conversion of H2S-containing hydrogen in the SOFC systems. Current density over 450 mA/cm2 at 0.5 V and maximum power density of 160 mW/cm2 (at 400 mA/cm2) were obtained at 900åC. Conductivity tests showed that the V2O3 catalyst had good electronic conductivity in hydrogen atmosphere. XRD and XPS analysis showed that the new catalyst was stable in the environment of H2S-rich hydrogen, and this was confirmed experimentally in fuel cell tests.