Sm0.5Ba0.5MnO3-δ anode for solid oxide fuel cells with hydrogen and methanol as fuels

Sm 0.5 Ba 0.5 MnO 3-δ (SBMO) has been synthesized with the Pechini method and investigated as an anode material of solid oxide fuel cells with H 2 and methanol as fuels. A cubic perovskite structure is formed after reduction. The reduction process of SBMO is studied with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and temperature programmed reduction techniques. The electrical conductivities of an SBMO sample sintered at 950   °C are 1.15 and 0.10   S   cm −1 at 850   °C in air and H 2 , respectively. A single cell with an SBMO anode layer and a 300-μm La 0.8 Sr 0.2 Ga 0.8 Mg 0.2 O 3-δ electrolyte layer exhibits a maximum power density ( P max ) of about 150   mW   cm −2 at 850   °C with H 2 as fuel. The electrical conductivity of the anode layer with methanol as fuel is improved by the moderate carbon deposition, and the P max increases to about 415   mW   cm −2 . The cell fed with methanol also shows a promising stability.