Surface-engineered ceramic anode with asymmetric microchannels for efficient power and syngas co-generation in solid oxide fuel cells

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are considered one of the most efficient options for electricity generation from hydrogen and carbon-containing fuels. However, conventional Ni-based anodes suffer from the carbon deposition issue when using hydrocarbon fuels directly. In this work, we propose a strategy for developing a high-performing ceramic anode with asymmetric microchannels by the phase-inversion tape-casting method. The anode is further surface-engineered by NiFe alloy nanoparticles through in-situ exsolution, which is favorable for the transport and conversion of fuels. The single cell with this novel NiFe@SFM-SDC anode delivers an outstanding power density of 0.595 Wcm(-2) for H-2 fuel at 700 degrees C, and shows a stable operation for over 80 h. Moreover, a comparable performance of 0.503 Wcm(-2) is achieved for CH4-CO2 fuel, as well as the stability for 55 h. Last, but not least, the anode shows no obvious carbon deposition, while highly concentrated syngas of H-2 and CO is steadily yielded from the anode chamber. Therefore, the present work demonstrates the feasibility of applying the technology of SOFCs for the cogeneration of electrical energy and desired syngas.