LAUSR

Abstract The present work aims at producing an electrocatalyst suitable to be used as anode in solid oxide fuel cells that operates with hydrocarbons or alcohols as fuels. A cerium-cobalt-copper anode was developed, characterised and tested with hydrogen, anhydrous methane or anhydrous ethanol as fuels. The produced catalysts were characterised by X-ray and thermogravimetric analysis as well as H2 temperature-programmed reduction and post oxidation. For electrochemical performance, i-V curves were taken in different test rigs, guaranteeing reproducibility. Additionally, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was performed in order to determine cell's polarisation effects. Post-mortem analysis was done to assess carbon by Raman spectroscopy and temperature-programmed oxidation. Microstructure images were obtained by scanning electron microscopy. The cells have shown the ability to operate with hydrogen, methane, or ethanol with high performance. Negligible carbon was found in the post-mortem assessment after 24 h operation. Therefore, the multilayer anode showed to be promising for the direct utilisation of carbonaceous fuels.