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Co2CrO4 Nanopowders as Anode Catalyst for Simultaneous Conversion of Ethane to Ethylene and Power in Proton Conducting Fuel Cell Reactors

Jieyuan Lin, Lin Shao, Fengzhan Si, Subiao Liu, Xianzhu Fu and Jing-Li Luo
The Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Publication Date (Web): February 6, 2018

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.7b11680

This study investigates the ethane conversion in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) reactors, comprise of nanosized Co-Cr2O3nanocomposite anode catalyst, proton conducting BCYN electrolyte and porous Pt cathode, for the purpose of co-generating value added ethylene with high selectivity and electrical power. The Co-Cr2O3nanocomposite anode catalyst is achieved by reducing the Co2CrO4precursor particles of about 5 nm, by a citrate-nitrate combustion method at elevated temperature. While the BaCe0.8Y0.15Nd0.05O3-d? (BCYN) dense membrane is obtained by sintering the BYCN precursor powders at 1400 ºC for 10 h. The protonic SOFC reactor co-generates a maximum power density of 173 mW·cm-2 and an ethylene yield of 32% at a selectivity of 91.6% at 700 ºC. More importantly, no detectable acetylene and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission are formed, suggesting the superior electrocatalytic activity and dehydrogenation activity of Co-Cr2O3 nanocomposite for the cogeneration of ethylene and electricity