Novel copper-based anodes for solid oxide fuel cells with samaria-doped ceria electrolyte

A novel copper-based anode for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells was prepared through the conventional ceramic technology and using CuO and SDC (Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9) powders with controlled particle size. The new Cu–SDC anode also contained highly dispersed CeO2 and Ni particles to increase its surface area and fuel cell performance. The specific surface area of the Cu–SDC bare anode, CeO2 and Ni-dispersed phases were estimated to be 1.53, 39.4 and 86.4 m2 g−1, respectively. Solid oxide fuel cells having the new anode were tested for both humid hydrogen and methane. Power densities of ca. 250 mW cm−2 were achieved in H2 at 600 °C and in CH4 700 °C, even if the SDC–electrolyte supporting membrane was 250-μm thick. Short term stability tests (maximum 64 h) showed an initial impairment, but not dramatic, of the new anode performance and the formation of carbon deposits. The addition of MoOx to the new anode did not prevent the formation of carbon deposits.