Ni-Cu/Ce0.9Zr0.1O2 bimetallic cermets for electrochemical and catalytic applications

Abstract

The development of an economically feasible Solid Oxide Fuel Cell technology has driven the research activity in this area toward the reduction of their operating temperature. New anode materials, with high electrocatalytic activity and resistance to coke deposition when hydrocarbons are used as fuel, have to be developed. The aim of this paper is to give a contribution in this area by studying the effect of Ni substitution by Cu in the NiO (60 wt.%)/ Ce0.9Zr0.1O2 cermet recently proposed as a possible anode material. It was observed that the partial replacement of Ni by Cu has produced solids with high reducibility, excellent catalytic and electrocatalytic performances and higher resistance to carbon deposition in the operation with CH4.