Advancements in Ammonia-Based Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Key Ideas
- Researchers from Fuzhou University have developed pyrochlore La2Zr2–xNixO7 anodes for NH3-SOFCs, showing improved efficiency and durability.
- The LZN0.05-40YSZ composite anode demonstrated a 1.8 times greater power density than NiO-based NH3-SOFCs and maintained stability over 100 hours of continuous operation.
- These advancements address the critical need for efficient anode catalysts in NH3-SOFCs, presenting a significant step towards supporting the hydrogen economy through ammonia utilization.
The exploration of ammonia as a hydrogen carrier for clean energy sources has gained attention due to its high hydrogen content and energy density. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) offer a way to utilize ammonia efficiently, overcoming challenges related to hydrogen storage and transportation. Researchers at Fuzhou University have developed pyrochlore La2Zr2–xNixO7 anodes for NH3-SOFCs. The study focuses on optimizing the performance of these ammonia-based SOFCs at intermediate temperatures. The LZNx oxides were found to exhibit n-type semiconductor behavior with excellent compatibility with the YSZ electrolyte. The LZN0.05-40YSZ composite anode showed a significant increase in power density compared to NiO-based NH3-SOFCs. It also displayed minimal voltage degradation after prolonged operation, indicating enhanced durability. These developments pave the way for more efficient and durable anode catalysts in NH3-SOFCs, marking progress towards supporting the hydrogen economy through the utilization of ammonia for clean energy generation.