Electrochemical Methane Reforming on La0.5Ce0.5Fe0.5Ni0.5O3−δ Anode in Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells

Abstract

Coupling the partial oxidation of methane (POM) to the anode of solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) can significantly decrease the open-circuit voltage and electrical energy consumption of the SOECs. However, developing advanced anode for SOEC to selectively convert CH₄ to syngas still remains a great challenge. Herein, we find that Ce substitution at the A-site of La_0.5Ce_0.5Fe_0.5Ni_0.5O_3−δ can effectively alter the chemical state and coordination environment of Ni with the generation of NiO particles, and the air activation could further regulate the oxygen vacancy concentration and decrease the size of NiO particles, which both contribute to the enhanced POM performance with CH₄ conversion of 45.20% and CO selectivity of 92.67% at 650 °C. Moreover, the introduction of POM to the anode could remarkably decrease the electrical energy consumption for CO production from 3.64 kWh m^–3 of conventional SOECs to 0.86 kWh m^–3 of CH₄-assisted SOECs. This study provides an effective strategy for improving the electrochemical performance of CO₂ electrolysis in SOECs while simultaneously converting CH₄ to syngas at the anode.