Effects of crystal Structure of yttria- and scandia-stabilized zirconia in nickel-based SOFC anodes on carbon deposition and oxidation behavior

The effect of crystal structure of yttria- (YSZ) and scandia-stabilized zirconia (ScSZ) in nickel-based SOFC anodes was investigated in relation with carbon deposition and oxidation behavior in methane fuel. The lattice parameter of the zirconia decreased by the dissolution of 1-2 mol%Ni to YSZ and ScSZ. For Ni-doped ScSZ, the lattice parameter of the zirconia increased by the Ni dissolution, and the crystal structure of the zirconia was modified after reduction treatment. New finer Ni particles were formed around original Ni grains accompanied by the decrease in Ni solubility to ScSZ after reduction treatment. Carbon deposition was initiated near the boundary between Ni particles and YSZ (or ScSZ) substrate in dry methane atmosphere. Furthermore, the rod-shaped carbon was observed to grow from the new finer Ni particles on the ScSZ substrate. On the other hand, a large amount of amorphous carbon was promoted to be deposited on Ni-YSZ cermet at a high temperature of 1273 K. The amorphous carbon, however, was oxidized at lower temperatures than graphite. The carbon deposition and oxidation behavior was strongly affected by the morphology and crystallinity of deposited carbon. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.