Ce-substituted LSCM as new anode material for SOFC operating in dry methane

LSCM substituted on the A site of the perovskite by 10 at.% of cerium, has been synthesised and examined as a potential anode material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). La0.65Ce0.1Sr0.25Cr0.5Mn0.5O3-delta material, fired at 1100 degrees C in argon, exhibits a rhombohedral structure. At 1185 K and at low pO(2), its electrical conductivity is similar to that of non-substituted LSCM. Good electrochemical performance was achieved using La0.65Ce0.1Sr0.25Cr0.5Mn0.5O3-delta as anode with a polarisation resistance of 0.2 and 1.6 Omega cm(2) at 1173 K in, respectively, wet, 3% H2O hydrogen and wet methane, i.e. without using excess steam content. In particular the Ce modification enhances performance without additional microstructural modification and increases OCV in moist methane. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.