Nanostructured Anode Material (Ce_0.4 Zr_0.6) for Low Temperature SOFC

Abstract: – SOFC have much capability to become an economical alternative energy conversion technology .The nanoscale engineering have been incorporated to improve catalytic activity. We have made nanocomposite anode material for low temperature solid oxide fuel cell for operating at low temperature . The nanomaterial is made up by sol gel method. The material demonstrated the outstantding electrochemical out put 550 mv/cm-2 at 600 ◦C. anode shows good conductivity and crystalinity Keywords: Sol-gel, Nanocomposite SOFC, Impedance, XRD

INTRODUCTION

Solid oxide fuel cells had (SOFCs) have a high essential effectiveness for inter change between chemical and electrical energy, fuel flexibility, which is matchless by other fuel cell technologies .hence, SOFCs possibly will comprise a tactical technology to help the change from a “carbon ”,based on the use of fossil fuels, to a “green economy” based on the use of renewable sources and distributed energy generation [1]. It is necessary to develop lower temperature fuel cell which could be operate at comparatively less temperature i.e. between 500 -600 OC .and even in different operating condition. In recent years novel research is in progress giving rise to in new material known as nano form materials , to achieve the goal of low temperature [2,3] . In development of SOFC material as anode NIYSZ is mostly used cermets as anode. But it has certain issues of carbon deposition , poor tolerance to sulphur as most of fossils fuel contains sulphur as impurity, issues created by metal degeneration ,so it is demand of technology to develop more durable and active anode [4,5] . after reviving consideration is given on optimisation of anode material which will work as good oxidation catalyst , so cerium and the transition metal alloy , such as ceria[7-8],and other transition metal alloys are in attention of researcher. The CeO2 nanocomposite material gives the very high catalytic activity towards hydrocarbon oxidation also such material acquire considerable n type electron conductivity which contributes to the extension of three phase boundary to broad portion of anode surface .Due to redox properties of cerium ions . Oxygen transport properties and reducibility can be enhanced by acceptor type doping. The ceria based zirconia is found useful for overcoming the problems of Nickel based electrocatylist such as Ni-YSZ and NI-SDC [6,7] The problems that includes the deposition and degradation of electro catalyst .
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