Performance of Alternative Oxide Anodes for the Electrochemical Oxidation of Hydrogen and Methane in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Abstract The electrode performances of the alternative oxides: La0.05Ca0.95Cr0.05Ti0.95O3‐δ‐8YSZ and Ce0.8TM0.2O2‐δ(TM=Mn, Co) for the direct electrochemical oxidation of methane are investigated to assess their potential as anode materials for efficient methane conversion in a SOFC. The electrochemical oxidation of hydrogen was also studied, for comparison. The oxides are characterised electrochemically with impedance spectroscopy in the frequency range from 10 mHz to 1MHz, using a three‐electrode geometry. They are compared to a standard Ni/8YSZ anode for the electrochemical oxidation of hydrogen. It is found that La0.05Ca0.95Cr0.05Ti0.95O3‐δ‐8YSZ demonstrates a poor electrochemical activity in both hydrogen and methane. However, the electrochemical activity of Ce0.8Mn0.2O2‐δ is promising, but the electronic conductivity needs to be increased, e.g., by adding a conducting oxide, before it can be used as an anode material in a SOFC.