Methane-fueled thin film micro-solid oxide fuel cells with nanoporous palladium anodes

Journal of Power Sources, Volume 196, Issue 15, 1 August 2011, Pages 6299-6304

Methane-fueled thin film micro-solid oxide fuel cells with nanoporous palladium anodes

Bo-Kuai Lai, Kian Kerman, Shriram Ramanathan

bokuai.lai@gmail.com

blai@seas.harvard.edu

Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA

Abstract

Methane-fueled thin film micro-solid oxide fuel cells (μSOFCs) based on palladium (Pd) anodes are discussed.

The μSOFCs are composed of porous platinum (Pt) cathodes, 8 mol.% yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) ultrathin electrolytes, and Pd anodes – specifically, a Pt/YSZ/Pd heterostructure synthesized by physical vapor deposition. Presents a detailed study on synthesis, microstructure and functional properties of the nanoporous Pd films. Possible anodic methane reactions, carbon deposition on Pd anodes, and carbon suppression approaches are discussed. Results suggest potential approaches to advancing low temperature micro-fuel cell technology using hydrocarbon fuels.

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