Microwave-Assisted Preparation of Cu Coated Ni/YSZ Anode for Direct Utilization of Dry CH_4 in SOFC

摘要

Microwave irradiation was used to deposit Cu into a Ni/YSZ anode of an electrolyte-supported solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Irradiation times of 15 s and 60 s were used. The shorter time was sufficient to deposit 6 wt% Cu (with respect to Ni) from a solution of Cu(NO_3)_2 and ethylene glycol (HOCH_2CH_2OH) with average particle size of ～21 nm. Irradiation for 60 s resulted in a wider distribution of particle sizes up to 60 nm in size. The electrochemical performance of the microwave Cu-coated Ni/YSZ anodes was tested in dry H_2 and dry CH4 at 1073 K. The presence of Cu reduced the extent and severity of carbon deposition.