Double Layered CeO2-Co3O4-CuO Based Anode for Direct Utilisation of Methane or Ethanol in SOFC

The present work aimed to produce an electrocatalyst suitable to be used as anode in solid oxide fuel cell that operates with hydrocarbons or alcohols as fuels. The main challenge is to avoid carbon deposition and anode depletion during operation with carbonaceous fuels. Therefore, a Cerium-Cobalt-Copper anode was developed, characterised and tested with methane or ethanol at the anode side resulting in reasonable power densities and no evidence of carbon deposition confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. SEM/EDX analysis showed the integrity of anode microstructure and phase distribution after ageing procedure.