Electrocatalytic Activity of Co0.5Ni0.5O Particles for the Anodic Oxidation of Methane

A new electrocatalyst which enables direct methane use in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) was examined. The dispersion of Co 0.5 Ni 0.5 O particles into a porous-platinum-based anode increased the cell performance in an SOFC using a stabilized-zirconia electrolyte. Among the catalysts studied, Co 0.5 Ni 0.5 O, CoO, and NiO, the increase was the most prominent for Co 0.5 Ni 0.5 O. The anodic polarization resistance and the production rates of CO, CO 2 , and H 2 in the outlet gas showed a high Co 0.5 Ni 0.5 O catalytic activity for the electrochemical oxidation of methane, indicating the activation of the steam-reforming reaction caused by the formation of surface active sites in relation to the cation vacancy in the CoO-NiO solid solution.