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Cesium-Promoted Nickel-Ceria Anodes for Enhanced Stability and Performance in Low-Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Dae-Kwang Lim1, Jinwook Kim2, Seongwoo Nam3
1Hydrogen Energy Laboratory, Korea Electric Power Corp. Research Institute, Daejeon 34056, Republic of Korea.
ACS Nano
|January 6, 2026
Summary
Cesium promoters significantly enhance solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anode performance and stability at low temperatures (300-450 °C). This advancement is crucial for improving SOFC energy technology, especially using hydrogen or methane fuels.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Conversion
Background:
- Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) offer promising energy conversion but face limitations due to high operating temperatures and material degradation.
- Anode stability is critical for SOFC performance, particularly at lower operating temperatures (≤450 °C), an area receiving less research focus.
- Conventional nickel-gadolinium-doped ceria (Ni-GDC) anodes require optimization for efficient low-temperature operation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of cesium (Cs)-based promoters on the performance and stability of Ni-GDC anodes for SOFCs operating at low temperatures (300-450 °C).
- To evaluate the effectiveness of Cs promoters introduced via CsNO3 solution or powder.
- To assess the durability of Cs-promoted anodes using hydrogen and methane fuels.
Main Methods:
- Cesium nitrate (CsNO3) was applied as an aqueous solution or powder to Ni-GDC anodes.
- SOFC performance was tested at temperatures ranging from 300 to 450 °C with humidified hydrogen fuel.
- Anode stability was evaluated at 450 °C using humidified methane fuel, monitoring power density and voltage over time.
- Carbon coking resistance was assessed during methane operation.
Main Results:
- The Cs-promoted Ni-GDC anode demonstrated up to a 76% performance improvement at 350 °C with 3% humidified hydrogen compared to unpromoted anodes.
- Exceptional stability was achieved, maintaining over 50 mW/cm² at 450 °C and 0.8 V for 15 hours with 3% humidified methane fuel.
- The Cs-promoted anode showed resistance to carbon coking when operated on methane fuel.
Conclusions:
- Cesium promoters play a pivotal role in enhancing the performance and durability of SOFC anodes at low operating temperatures.
- The application of Cs promoters represents a significant advancement for low-temperature SOFC technology, enabling efficient utilization of hydrogen and methane fuels.
- This study underscores the importance of anode design in optimizing SOFCs for diverse fuel sources and operating conditions.
