Power-generating property of direct CH 4 fueled SOFC using LaGaO 3 electrolyte

A composite anode of NiFe-MgO (2.5 wt.%)- La _0.9Sr _0.1Ga _0.8Mg _0.2O ₃ (LSGM) (10 wt.%) for solid oxide fuel cells using directly CH4 as fuel was studied. Compared with previously reported NiFe-LSGM (10 wt.%) cermet anode, the NiFe-MgO-LSGM anode exhibited superior power generation performance, stability under CH4 atmosphere at 973 K, and high tolerance against the carbon deposition. These improvements by the additives are explained by the increase in basic property of anode material. The anode activity of NiFe-MgO-LSGM cermet for CH ₄ fuel is still lower than that for H ₂ one. However, comparing with that of NiFe-LSGM cermet, anodic overpotential slightly decreased by the addition of MgO, suggesting the improved surface activity.