BaCe_0.8Fe_0.1Ni_0.1O_3−δ-impregnated Ni–GDC by phase-inversion as an anode of solid oxide fuel cells with on-cell dry methane reforming

BaCe_0.8Fe_0.1Ni_0.1O_3-δ (BCFN) in perovskite structure is impregnated consecutively by BCFN solution and BCFN suspension into a phase-inversion prepared NiO-Gd_0.1Ce_0.9O_2-δ (GDC) scaffold as an anode of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with on-cell dry reforming of CH₄ (DRM). The whole pore surface of the scaffold is covered by small BCFN particles formed by BCFN solution impregnation; the large pores near the scaffold surface are filled by BCFN aerogels with a high specific surface area produced by BCFN suspension impregnation, acting as a catalytic layer for on-cell DRM. After reduction, the anode consists of a Ni-GDC scaffold and BCFN particles with exsolved FeNi₃ nanoparticles. Such BCFN-impregnated Ni-GDC anode has higher electrical conductivity, electrochemical activity, and resistance to carbon deposition, with which the cell shows maximum power densities between 1.44 and 0.92 W·cm^-2 using H₂ and from 1.09 to 0.50 W·cm^-2 with CO₂-CH₄ at temperatures ranging from 750 °C to 600 °C. A stable performance at 400·mA·cm^-2 and 700 °C is achieved using 45%CO₂-45%CH₄-10%N₂ for more than 400 h without carbon deposition, benefiting from the impregnated BCFN aerogel with high specific surface area and water adsorbability.