Nickel-Iron/Gadolinium-Doped Ceria (CGO) Composite Electrocatalyst as a Protective Layer for a Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell Anode Fed with Biofuels

The performance and reliability of a commercial solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with the anode coated by a protective catalytic layer is demonstrated. Physico-chemical and electrochemical characterizations of a Ni-Fe/gadolinium-doped ceria (CGO) electrocatalyst forming the protective layer are reported. The anode layer was prepared by using a procedure that favors the interaction between Ni and Fe. Power densities approaching 0.3Wcm(-2) for the SOFC cell fed with dry organic fuels were obtained. A time test was performed in the presence of a large flow rate of dry organic fuels under operating conditions (0.8V) showing appropriate fuel flexibility for the device. The resistance to sulfur contamination was verified by feeding increasing amounts of H2S. The cell showed only moderate performance losses until 80ppm of sulfur contaminant.