Nano Ru Impregnated Ni-YSZ Anode as Carbon Resistance Layer for Direct Ethanol Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Carbon formation on conventional Ni and Y2O3 stabilized zirconia(Ni/YSZ) anodes is a major problem for direct ethanol solid oxide fuel cells(DE-SOFC). A nanostructure Ru layer was grown in Ni/YSZ anodes through wet impregnation method with RuC l3 solvent at pH =4. Anode-supported Ni-YSZ/YSZ/(La0.8Sr0.2)0.98 MnO 3±δ(LSM) and Ru-Ni-YSZ/YSZ/LSM fuel cells were compared in terms of the performance and carbon formation with ethanol fuel. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy disperse spectroscopy and electrochemical workstation were used to study the morphology and fuel cell performance. The results indicate that a nano structured and pearl like Ru layer was well dispersed on the surface of Ni-YSZ materials. The single cell with Ru-impregnated Ni/YSZ showed a maximum power density of 369 m W/cm at 750°C, which was higher than Ni-YSZ/YSZ/LSM. Specifically, no carbon was formed in the anode after 1000 min operation. Fuel cell performance and carbon resistance were enhanced with the addition of the Ru layer.