Carbon resistant Ni_1-xCu_x-BCZY anode for methane-fed protonic ceramic fuel cell

This research aims to develop a better carbon resistant anode compared to conventional Ni-BCZY anode for methane fueled protonic ceramic fuel cell (PCFC). Solid-state reaction process is used to prepare alloy Ni_1-xCu_x-BCZY anode in PCFC. Ni is doped with Cu for better carbon resistance. Results show that, Ni_0·9Cu_0.1-BCZY anode calcined at 800 °C for 0.5 h exhibit an electrical conductivity of 2054 S/cm at 600 °C, which is 8.4% less than traditional Ni-BCZY anode. XPS, and Raman data show that Ni_0·9Cu_0.1-BCZY anode exhibit resistance to carbon deposition compared to traditional anode. The best carbon deposition resistance is observed for the Ni_0·7Cu_0.3-BCZY sample. This work demonstrates the suppression of carbon deposition and inhibition of anode deformation in methane fueled PCFC with Ni_1-xCu_x-BCZY anode. This work is helpful for development of carbon-resistant materials for energy generation with solid oxide fuel cells.