Methanol Oxidation over Doped LaCoO3 Electrodes in a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

Abstract

The oxidation of methanol to CO and CO2 can be realised in a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) or a ceramic electrochemical reactor. Electrochemical control of the active anode species allows for increased activity (and hence conversion) to the desired products. This paper examines the effect of La1-xSrxCoO3+delta (x = 0.2-0.4) as a SOFC anode, using methanol as a feed stock. Stability and increased activity were realised at temperatures below 650 degrees C and at an applied potential of approximately -0.2V. It was, however, apparent that under the highly anodic environments experienced by the anode for SOFC applications, the material degraded and a loss in efficiency was noted. It was therefore concluded that p-type oxides could only be used for systems such as electrochemical reactors, rather than in sold oxide fuel cell applications.