A high-performance solid oxide fuel cell operated on eucalyptus-derived biomass fuels

Eucalyptus is one of the world's most important industrial raw material forest species, with wide planting and a fast-growing rate. At the same time, eucalyptus has demonstrated high photosynthetic efficiency and strong carbon sequestration ability, which has great potential as biomass energy. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) can directly convert the chemical energy in fuel into electricity with high conversion efficiency, as well as having a wide fuel source and pollution-free product. Here, we present the great potential of coupling eucalyptus derivatives (eucalyptus char and pyrolysis gas produced in situ from eucalyptus branch powder) with SOFCs for power generation. It is shown that the pyrolysis gas of the eucalyptus branch contains a variety of fuel gases, such as CO, H2, and CH4. Besides, the eucalyptus chars contain a slight amount of Ca, K, and other elements, which are beneficial for the Boudouard reaction. At 850 degrees C, a typical maximum power density of 497 and 826 mW cm- 2 can be achieved from electrolyte-supported and anode-supported SOFCs, respectively, using eucalyptus-derived biomass as fuel.