A High Performance, Anode-Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Operating on Direct Alcohol

Anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells with a thin film of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as the electrolyte were fabricated. The cells were operated directly on pure methanol and on an equivolume mixture of ethanol and water over a range of temperatures. Power density achieved with methanol was between 0.6 W/cm 2 at 650°C and 1.3 W/cm 2 at 800°C, and with between 0.3 W/cm 2 at 650°C and 0.8 W/cm 2 at 800°C. Results were compared with tests on humidified hydrogen as a fuel. No carbon deposition on the Ni-YSZ anode was observed with either methanol or an equivolume solution of ethanol and water as fuels. Differences in performance with different fuels were attributed to differences in anode polarization. © 2001 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.