Electrochemical performance of Ni1−xFex–Ce0.8Gd0.2O1.9 cermet anodes for solid oxide fuel cells using hydrocarbon fuel

Ni1−xFex bimetallic-based cermet anodes were investigated for hydrocarbon-fueled solid oxide fuel cells. Ni1−xFex–Ce0.8Gd0.2O1.9 cermet anodes were synthesized using a glycine nitrate process, and their electrical conductivity and the amount of carbon deposits were found to decrease with increasing Fe content. The anode polarization resistance for the CH4 fuel was significantly reduced by Fe alloying, which was strongly related to the carbon deposition behavior. The maximum power density of the single cell with Ni0.85Fe0.15–Ce0.8Gd0.2O1.9 in CH4 at 800 °C was 0.27 W/cm2. Fe alloying significantly improved the electrochemical performance of solid oxide fuel cells in CH4 fuel by suppressing carbon deposition.