Enhanced power density in hydrocarbon-compatible anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell facilitated by a functional anode catalyst layer

In the present study, solution combustion synthesis (SCS) is employed to prepare a hydrocarbon-compatible composite anode oxide powder containing nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) (Ni_0.9–Cu_0.1–YSZ_0.95–GDC_0.05) through the single-step solution combustion method using two different fuels. The effect of fuel on the nature of the synthesized anode powder is established. Carburization studies are carried out on the synthesized anode powder to study the carbon-retarding ability. Phase stability and interface reactivity are studied by X-ray diffractometry and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The SCS-synthesized anode powder is used for the fabrication of electrolyte-supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The fabricated SOFC single cells are characterized for their electrical and electrochemical performance. Based on their performance, it is realized that they can be used as an anode functional layer instead of the anode support. The SOFC containing the SCS-synthesized anode as the functional layer yields a high power density of 884 mW/cm² in methane fuel at 800°C, which is higher than the reported power density of such cells. The electrode impedance and exchange current density are also derived for the SOFC.