Development of anodes with catalytic layers for direct ethanol solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract

The focus of this PhD project is to research materials and innovative configurations for the anode of the last generation Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs), targeting the use of alternative fuels to hydrogen, mainly bioethanol. Through this perspective, SOFCs will be manufactured using ceramic processing following the global tendency of the main developers of this technology, aiming at high performance and competitiveness. Anode supported SOFCs will be fabricated by tape casting the anode support, in which Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) and Gadolinium-Doped Ceria (GDC) electrolytes, will be deposited, to obtain high-performance SOFCs operating at ~800°C. Such fuel cells will be tested with the addition of GDC-based catalytic layers for the use of fuels such as ethanol and natural gas using GDC-based catalytic layers deposited onto the anode support. The main focus will be the development of ceramic composites for use as catalytic layers with high electronic conductivity that allow both the use of ethanol and anode current collection. These research activities will bring significant advances for ceramic materials processing using advanced colloidal deposition techniques and for the use of cleaner and more sustainable fuels in SOFCs. (AU)