On October 14, 2024, researchers from Fuzhou University presented a significant advancement in fuel cell technology, focusing on direct ammonia protonic ceramic fuel cells (DA-PCFCs). The study, published in Frontiers in Energy, introduces a CeO-supported Ni and Ru catalyst layer that enhances the electrochemical performance of these cells.
Ammonia has been identified as a promising fuel for solid oxide fuel cells due to its high hydrogen content and carbon-neutral characteristics. However, achieving optimal performance at intermediate temperatures (500-600°C) has posed challenges for its broader application.
The research team, led by Yu Luo and Yunyun Huang, collaborated with the Beijing Institute of Technology and Qingyuan Innovation Laboratory to develop an electrolyte-supported PCFC using BaZrCeYO (BZCY) as the electrolyte and BaSrCoFeO (BSCF) as the cathode. They investigated the performance of the PCFC using ammonia as fuel within the operating temperature range of 500-700°C.
The introduction of the M(Ni,Ru)/CeO catalyst layer resulted in a notable improvement in the electrochemical performance of the DA-PCFC. The degradation ratio of peak power densities (PPDs) of the Ni/CeO-loaded PCFC fueled with ammonia decreased significantly at both 700°C and 500°C.
These findings suggest that Ru-based catalysts hold considerable promise for direct ammonia solid oxide fuel cells at temperatures below 600°C, although the enhancement effect diminishes above this threshold when compared to Ni-based catalysts. This research contributes to the ongoing development of efficient and sustainable energy conversion technologies.