Direct Ammonia-Fed Liquid Metal Anode Solid Oxide Fuel Cell for Co-Generation of Hydrogen and Electricity

Ammonia shows great promise as a carbon-free alternative fuel with high hydrogen content, nice energy density and developed supply chain. For solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), ammonia decomposition at the anode forms a high temperature gradient, thus exerting a negative effect on the cell durability. In this research, a liquid antimony anode (LAA) SOFC was prepared as an electrochemical partial oxidation reformer. Part of ammonia was electrochemically oxidized at the LAA for producing heat and electricity, while the rest was decomposed to H 2 and N 2 . The single cell exhibited a current density of 128 mA/cm 2 at 0.4V and 850℃. Thermodynamic calculations showed that the heat release can be balanced with the heat adsorption. LAAs with high thermal conductivity transferred ammonia oxidation heat and prevented a high temperature gradient. This work showed the potential of LAA-SOFCs for co-generation of hydrogen and electricity from ammonia.