Evaluation of a Cu/YSZ and Ni/YSZ Bilayer Anode for the Direct Utilization of Methane in a Solid‐Oxide Fuel Cell

Carbon deposition is an issue when operating solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) on fuels other than hydrogen, and so a variety of strategies have been used to prevent carbon accumulation on the anodes. In this paper, we describe a bilayer anode that contains a functional layer consisting of Ni/YSZ and a conduction layer consisting of Cu/YSZ. The anode‐supported button cells were fabricated using a uni‐axially pressing technique to produce the anode, followed by impregnation with Cu. The cells were tested at 1,023 K in dry CH₄ and their performance compared to that of a typical Ni/YSZ anode. The Cu does not catalyze the cracking of methane and as such less carbon deposits in the conduction layer resulting in anode stability for over 100 h. The limitation with using Cu in the anode is the temperature of operation.