In Situ Exsolvation of Cu Nanoparticles to Enhance Anode Catalysis in Direct Carbon Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Abstract

Direct carbon solid oxide fuel cells (DC-SOFCs) are energy-conversion devices that can be utilized to directly convert the chemical energy in carbon into electrical energy. However, the development of DC-SOFCs is hindered by the inefficient mass transfer process on the anode surface. Herein, B-site Cu-substituted (PrBa)_0.95Fe_1.8–xTi_0.2Cu_xO_6−δ (PBFTC_x, x = 0–0.3) materials are synthesized via the sol–gel combustion method and evaluated as anode materials for DC-SOFCs. These Cu@PBFTC_x (x = 0–0.3) anode materials show significantly improved CO adsorption capacities and oxygen ion conductivities, leading to improved catalytic performance in DC-SOFCs. Among the Cu-doped samples, Cu@PBFTC_0.2 shows the most enhanced CO adsorption capacity and the highest ion conductivity in air. A single cell assembled with a Cu@PBFTC_0.2 anode exhibits excellent performance when using nanoactivated carbon as a fuel, achieving a peak power density of 518.98 mW cm^–2 at 800 °C. This work demonstrates the excellent potential for utilizing Cu@PBFTC_x materials as DC-SOFC anodes.