Preparation and Evaluation of Molybdenum based Catalyst for SOFC Anode

Abstract

The world's greatest single drain is the energy problem. To meet energy requirements, fossil fuels are considered a major energy source. They are not enough to meet energy requirements. Using them for energy purposes becomes the cause of the emission of poisonous gases. There is a need to adopt renewable energy resources to meet energy requirements and avoid poisonous gasses emissions. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are considered one of the best solutions for energy generation due to their great efficiency, very low toxic emissions, and fuel flexibility. The performance of the fuel cell is based on the catalytic activity of the anode. While operating with methane as fuel, carbon is deposited on the fuel cell anode which becomes the cause of cell degradation, and low performance. High operating temperature is also a challenge for SOFC. Because of the fuel flexibility and cost-effective anode materials features. The structural and electrochemical properties of anode materials with the configuration of MOx-(La0.25Sr0.35Ni0.4O3-δ)1-x (where x=0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06) have been examined in this research work to enhance electrocatalytic properties and to avoid carbon deposition on the anode. The proposed anode materials have been synthesized through the solid-state reaction method. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) is performed to get information about an infrared spectrum of absorption or emission and molecular bonding. The crystalline nature of the materials, vibrational modes, and carbon deposition are confirmed using Raman spectroscopy. The optical band gap and absorption spectra are observed by UV–Visible spectroscopy. The conductivity of prepared anode materials is investigated through Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). The detailed Raman spectroscopy and conductivity analysis shows that carbon deposition on the anode is decreased, and conductivity is enhanced by increasing the Mo ratio. The findings suggest that the developed materials are suitable catalysts of anode for Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC).