High-performance Ni in-situ exsolved Ba(Ce0.9Y0.1)0.8Ni0.2O3-δ/Gd0.1Ce0.9O1.95 composite anode for SOFC with long-term stability in methane fuel

For intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC) using hydrocarbon gases as fuels, the carbon deposition resistance of the anode is the most critical factor affecting its long-term stability. In this study, Ba(Ce0.9Y0.1)0.8Ni0.2O3-δ (BCYN) decorated Gd0.1Ce0.9O1.95 (GDC) composite is prepared by solution impregnation as anode for SOFC. And metal Ni nanoparticles are in-situ exsolved from BCYN as catalyst for the fuel gas cracking. At 750 °C, the polarization resistance of the optimized cell with Ni-BCYN/GDC composite anode are as low as 0.085 and 0.12 Ω cm2 in H2 and CH4, respectively. The related electrolyte-supported full cell's peak power density up to 211 mW cm−2 can be achieved in CH4 at 750 °C. In the long-term polarization test (200 mA cm−2), single cell with Ni-BCYN/GDC composite anode maintains stable output for 100 h without obvious attenuation and carbon deposition.