CHAPTER 10: Fuel Cells Running on Alternative Fuels

On the course of ongoing search for alternative energy generation method, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) running on alternative fuels have drawn increasing interest globally due to their high efficiency and critical role in environmental protection. In this chapter, our group’s work in this field is summarized in four categories: (a) In SOFCs using methane containing H₂S as the fuel, the doped and composite anodes were developed that showed high sulfur and coking tolerance and high structural stability; the H₂S enhancement effect was systematically investigated and the mechanism was explained for the first time. (b) In proton‐conducting SOFCs (PC‐SOFCs) fuelled by C₂H₆ or C₃H₈, we modified the proton‐conducting electrolyte and developed the highly selective anode catalysts to have co‐generated electricity and high value‐added products, e.g., C₂H₄ or C₃H₆. (c) In SOFCs fuelled by syngas containing H₂S, the different anode materials and coking resistant current collectors were developed. (d) SOFCs running on pure H₂S improved operation performance by using novel anode materials that we developed.