Enhanced anode interface for electrochemical oxidation of solid fuel in direct carbon fuel cells: The role of liquid Sn in mixed state

Abstract

The role of liquid Sn in a direct carbon fuel cell with a Ni-yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) cermet anode is investigated in terms of enhancing the solid fuel-to-solid anode interface and intrinsic electrocatalytic activity. Sn-mixed carbon black particles undergo a transformation from solid to liquid phase as the cell temperature rises, thereby leading to the formation of more favorable interface between carbon fuels, liquid Sn, and Ni-YSZ anodes. Moreover, additional Ni-impregnated Sn-carbon fuels show that further improvements in cell performance can be achieved by increasing the oxidation of carbon to CO. As a result, we observe a maximum power density of 60.5 and 105 mW cm(-2) at 900 degrees C by using Sn-carbon and Ni-Sn-carbon fuels, respectively. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.