Durability of anode supported Solid Oxides Fuel Cells (SOFC) under direct dry-reforming of methane

The present work investigates the performance and degradation mechanisms of a Ni-based anode supported Solid Oxides Fuel Cells (SOFC) operating at 800 C on direct internal reforming of dry CH4–CO2 mixtures. The catalytic properties of the anode support were first studied in a micro-reactor configuration to determine safe conditions (i.e., without carbon formation) under which a dry conversion of the methane can occur directly within the fuel cell. A full electrochemical characterization of complete cells followed to preliminarily assess their resistance towards carbon formation when operating on direct dry-reforming. Ageing tests of 300 h each have been performed in galvanostatic mode, with impedance spectra taken every 50 h of continuous operation to monitor the trend over the time of the different polarization contributions. Post-mortem microstructural analysis was carried out after each experiment to verify the morphology and nucleation of carbon deposited in the anode electrode.