NiO / Sr doped Ce0.85Pr0.10 Er0.05O2-δ mesoarchitectured catalyst for partial oxidation of CH4 and anode fueled by H2

Abstract

Our study focuses on an advanced exploratory research based on the development of the new IT-SOFCs anode compositions in conjunction with surfactants as template to obtain mesoarchitectured catalysts. We designed NiO/Sr doped CePr ErO (2.5 and 5 mol.% Sr) mesoarchitectures with robust crystalline framework following a hydrothermal synthesis route. NiO was deposited by wet impregnation and calcined in air at 900 °C, in order to assure a good interaction between Ni and mesoporous matrix. The obtained materials exhibit a cubic CeO fluorite phase with PrO and SrCeO as secondary phase traces and these were assessed as catalyst for the partial oxidation of CH over time and IT-SOFCs anode under reducing atmosphere. The electrochemical behavior as anode fed by wet H (2.5% vol. HO) was investigated in the NiO/CPS/YSZ/GDC/Pt electrochemical cells. The compositional effect on the structural properties, surface chemistry, catalytic and electrochemical performance were highlighted. Sr incorporated in the lattice, proved by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, guarantees an excellent stability of the catalysts over time for 20h, during partial oxidation of CH with high CH conversion and CO selectivity (90% in the range 700–800 °C) as well as a better performance as IT-SOFCs anode.