Electrocatalytic conversion of methane to syngas over Ni electrode in a solid oxide electrolyte cell Original Research Article

Electrocatalytic conversion of metane in a cell with a solid oxygen conducting electrolyte: CH4, Ni|0.9ZrO2 + 0.1Y2O3|Pt + PrO2, air was studied at the temperature range 750°C–850°C. The Ni electrode was found to be an active electrode-catalyst for partial oxidation of CH4 to syngas with the concentration ratio [H2] : [CO]≈2. The CH4 conversion and CO selectivity attained 85%–95% and 90%–95%, respectively, at 800°C–850°C. Under these conditions the Ni electrode-catalyst was stable to coking and had a negative value of electrode potential with respect to an air counter electrode. The direct partial oxidation mechanism was shown to be the most probable for the electrocatalytic conversion of CH4 to syngas.