Study of anode materials for the application in a hydrogen sulfide compatible direct oxidizing solid oxide fuel cell

The purpose of this research is focused on the analysis of potential sulfur resistant anode materials and on developing an understanding of the reactivity and kinetics on methane oxidation for the application in a H2S compatible SOFC. This research examines Ni/YSZ, Cu/YSZ, Ni/Cu/YSZ and two different preparations of LiCoO2/YSZ for the direct oxidation of methane at 500--800°C. It was found Ni/YSZ is severely poisoned by H2S (∼100ppm). Ni/Cu/YSZ also exhibits H2S degradation, while Cu/YSZ did not show any H2S degradation at high temperatures (700 and 800°C). However, at low temperatures (500 and 600°C), all of the catalysts exhibit severe H2S degradation with the exception of LiCoO2/YSZ. The LiCoO2/YSZ catalysts were not affected by H2S. Unfortunately, the LiCoO2/YSZ catalysts exhibit lower reactivity towards methane oxidation compared to the Cu/YSZ catalyst. Thus, Cu/YSZ would be the best candidate as a potential SOFC anode in the presence of H2S.