An active and durable ammonia cracking layer for direct ammonia protonic ceramic fuel cells
Liyan Chen, Hua Zhang, Kang Xu, Yangsen Xu, Xirui Zhang, Feng Zhu, Fan He, Yu Chen
Abstract
Ammonia protonic ceramic fuel cells (NH 3 -PCFCs) are highly appealing energy conversion technologies due to their high efficiency, environmental responsibility, and benign safety features. Nonetheless, progress in NH 3 -PCFCs is notably impeded by the restricted performance and insufficient lifespan of standard Ni-cermet anodes for ammonia cracking, especially at 550 °C or below. Herein, we report an efficient ammonia cracking layer with a formula of xCo 3 O 4 /100-xBaZr 0.8 Y 0.2 O 3-δ (Co/BZY) (x=10, 20, 30), which is deposited onto the Ni-BaZr 0.1 Ce 0.7 Y 0.1 Yb 0.1 O 3−δ (BZCYYb) anode to significantly enhance the NH 3 decomposition catalytic activity, thereby improving the performance and durability of NH 3 -PCFCs at low temperatures. The cells with the addition of a 20Co/80BZY anode catalytic layer (ACL) exhibit low area-specific resistance (ASR) and promising operational longevity under NH 3 conditions. At 550°C, the NH 3 -PCFCs with a 20Co/80BZY ACL exhibit a high peak power density of 0.626 W cm −2 and promising operation durability. This study provides important guidance for constructing high-performance and durable NH 3 -PCFCs.