Dual layered anode support for the internal reforming of methane for solid oxide fuel cells

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) offer significant flexibility regarding the choice of fuel, e.g. methane, ethanol and hydrocarbon fuels, that may be converted directly on the anode. In this study, SOFCs with a dual layered anode support consisting of Ni–Fe and Ni–yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) are fabricated and characterized for methane fuel applications. SOFCs with an additional Ni–Fe layer in the anode support exhibit improved performances of 0.65 A cm−2 at 0.8 V and 750 °C with methane, when compared with the value of 0.45 A cm−2 from an SOFC without the additional layer. Furthermore, SOFCs with an additional porous layer of Ni–Fe (HB Ni–Fe) exhibit current densities of 0.85 A cm−2 and 0.65 A cm−2 at 0.8 V with hydrogen and methane, respectively. From the impedance analyses, compared with an SOFC without an additional layer, SOFCs with a Ni–Fe additional layer exhibit lower charge transfer resistance, which may result from the improved catalytic activities of Ni–Fe under methane fuel. The dual layered anode support with a Ni–Fe layer is beneficial for obtaining higher fuel cell performance with methane fuel: however, the morphologies and process can be further improved.