A high performance, anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell operating on direct alcohol

Anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells with a thin him of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as the electrolyte were fabricated. The cells were operated directly on pure methanol and on an equivolume mixture of ethanol and water over a range of temperatures. Power density achieved with methanol was between 0.6 W/cm(2) at 650 degreesC and 1.3 W/cm(2) at 800 degreesC. and with ethanol + water between 0.3 W/cm(2) at 650 degreesC and 0.8 W/cm(2) at 800 degreesC. Results were compared with tests on humidified hydrogen us a fuel. No carbon deposition on the Ni-YSZ anode was observed with either methanol or an equivolume solution of ethanol and water as fuels. Differences in performance with different fuels were attributed to differences in anode polarization. (C) 2001 The Electrochemical Society.