Microwave-Assisted Preparation of Cu Coated Ni/YSZ Anode for Direct Utilization of Dry CH₄ in SOFC

Microwave irradiation was used to deposit Cu into a Ni/YSZ anode of an electrolyte-supported solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Irradiation times of 15 s and 60 s were used. The shorter time was sufficient to deposit 6 wt% Cu (with respect to Ni) from a solution of Cu(NO3)2 and ethylene glycol (HOCH2CH2OH) with average particle sizes of ~21 nm. Irradiation for 60 s resulted in a wider distribution of particle sizes up to 60 nm in size. The electrochemical performance of the microwave Cu-coated Ni/YSZ anodes was tested in dry H2 and dry CH4 at 1073 K, and their activities and stabilities were similar to that reported for Cu-Ni/YSZ/CeO2 anodes prepared by impregnation. That is, the presence of Cu reduced the extent and severity of carbon deposition.