Enhanced methane steam reforming activity and electrochemical performance of Ni(0.9)Fe(0.1)-supported solid oxide fuel cells with infiltrated Ni-TiO(2) particles

Ni(0.9)Fe(0.1) alloy-supported solid oxide fuel cells with NiTiO(3) (NTO) infiltrated into the cell support from 0 to 4 wt.% are prepared and investigated for CH(4) steam reforming activity and electrochemical performance. The infiltrated NiTiO(3) is reduced to TiO(2)-supported Ni particles in H(2) at 650 °C. The reforming activity of the Ni(0.9)Fe(0.1)-support is increased by the presence of the TiO(2)-supported Ni particles; 3 wt.% is the optimal value of the added NTO, corresponding to the highest reforming activity, resistance to carbon deposition and electrochemical performance of the cell. Fueled wet CH(4) at 100 mL min(−1), the cell with 3 wt.% of NTO demonstrates a peak power density of 1.20 W cm(−2) and a high limiting current density of 2.83 A cm(−2) at 650 °C. It performs steadily for 96 h at 0.4 A cm(−2) without the presence of deposited carbon in the Ni(0.9)Fe(0.1)-support and functional anode. Five polarization processes are identified by deconvoluting and data-fitting the electrochemical impedance spectra of the cells under the testing conditions; and the addition of TiO(2)-supported Ni particles into the Ni(0.9)Fe(0.1)-support reduces the polarization resistance of the processes ascribed to CH(4) steam reforming and gas diffusion in the Ni(0.9)Fe(0.1)-support and functional anode.