Methane oxidation on composite ruthenium electrodes in YSZ cells

The performance of RuOx–ZrO2 (8 mol%Y2O3) composite SOFC electrodes for electrochemical oxidation of methane was evaluated. The main products detected in the temperature range 773–923 K were CO and H2, with selectivity over 80% and 90%, respectively, i.e., partial oxidation of methane was the dominant electrochemical process. Oscillatory behavior with variation of PCH4 and current imposition was also observed. Post-run temperature programmed oxidation (TPO) experiments showed the absence of carbon deposition. Current vs. potential measurements revealed that composite RuOx–ZrO2 (8 mol%Y2O3) anodes prepared using combustion synthesis behave as non-polarizable electrodes.