Investigating nickel and ceria anode electrochemistry in multifuel environments

Conventional energy technologies and fossil fuels are causing irreversible damage to the environment. A transition from conventional to sustainable technologies is inevitable to address the environmental concerns. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) can play a key role in this transition because of their high efficiency and fuel flexibility – SOFCs can operate with fossil fuels as well as with renewable fuels. However, several challenges concerning cost reduction, operability, and long-term durability remain in SOFC development. A good physio-chemical and electrochemical understanding of the fuel-electrode is crucial to overcome the operability and durability limiting factors, as well as to design the new, improved, and low-cost electrodes.