Partial Oxidation of Isooctane over Ru-Promoted Nickel-Molybdenum/Cerium-Zirconium Oxide Catalyst at an Intermediate Temperature for Internal Reforming Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Applications

In previous work, nickel-molybdenum (NiMo) nanoparticles supported on cerium-zirconium oxide (CZ) catalyst showed excellent catalytic activity and stability for liquid fuel reforming with an improved coking resistance compared with Ni/CZ. Lowering the temperature of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) below 700 degrees C is vital, because they can reduce the material costs and thermal stresses of SOFCs. However, the performance of NiMo/CZ is insufficient when operated at temperatures below 750 degrees C. This work aims to improve the activity and coking resistance of NiMo/CZ at a temperature of 700 degrees C by adding a minimal amount (0.1 wt%) of Ru. The Ru-promoted sample shows a high reforming activity for partial oxidation of isooctane at 700 degrees C. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and STEM indicate a smaller Ni crystallite size for NiMoRu/CZ catalyst, which would decrease its tendency to facilitate coke formation. The tubular SOFC with the NiMoRu/CZ as its internal reforming catalyst displays good power density output and performance stability at 200 mA cm(-2).