전이금속 기반 촉매 활성 집전체를 이용한 메탄 연료 고체산화물연료전지의 성능 및 장기 안정성 향상 연구

Abstract

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are high-efficiency energy conversion devices that directly convert chemical fuels into electricity. Owing to their high operating temperature of 600–1000 ℃, SOFCs can internally reform hydrocarbon fuels such as methane without requiring an external reformer. However, when operating with methane fuel, carbon generated through the thermal decomposition reaction (CH4 → C + 2H2) can accumulate on the anode surface, causing performance degradation and shortening cell lifetime. Steam methane reforming (SMR) is an effective strategy to mitigate carbon deposition, as sufficient steam supply promotes the oxidation of deposited carbon. Conventional Ni-based anode supports and Ni foam current collectors exhibit excellent performance under hydrogen but remain highly susceptible to carbon formation when exposed to methane. In this study, a Cu-Ni transition- metal alloy was designed and fabricated as a catalyst-functionalized current collector to simultaneously enhance SMR activity and suppress carbon deposition. Cu inhibits carbon-carbon bond formation on Ni surfaces, thereby reducing coking, while Ni maintains reforming activity by facilitating C-H bond activation during methane conversion. This work aims to improve the electrochemical performance and long-term stability of methane-fueled SOFCs through the application of the Cu-Ni-based catalyst- current collector structure. MS/EN 20241089 Heeji Lee (이희지). Performance and Long-Term Stability Enhancement of Methane-Fueled Solid Oxide Fuel Cells using Transition-Metal-Based Catalyst–Active Current Collectors (전이금속 기반 촉매 활성 집전체를 이용한 메탄 연료 고체산화물연료전지의 성능 및 장기 안정성 향상 연 구). College of Engineering. Department of Environment and Energy Engineering. 2025. 84 p. Advisor Prof. Jong Hoon Joo