Performance of Single-Chamber Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Based on Ni and Ni–Cu Alloy Anodes and Fed with a Methane–Air Mixture

The electrochemical characteristics of Ni|YSZ|LSM and Ni–Cu|YSZ|LSM single-chamber solid oxide fuel cells fed with a methane–air mixture ([CH 4 ]/[O 2 ] molar ratio of 2) in a temperature range of 550–700°C have been studied. It has been shown that these devices generate electrical power. The addition of copper to nickel improves the electrochemical characteristics; this fact is apparently attributed to the higher electronic conductivity of the anode material. The maximum specific power value is 17 mW/cm 2 at a temperature of 700°C and a flow rate of the methane–air mixture of 240 cm 3 /min.