Electro catalysts electrodes were developed in this work, using ceria and Cu, for the direct oxidation of ethanol in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). An alternative method developed by Gortes et al [1] was applied to the production of the compound Cu-CeO2-YSZ (8% mol yttria stabilized zirconia). A YSZ porous support was prepared, from a ceramic suspension containing YSZ powder, maize starch and dispersant applied by serigraphy over one of the faces of the dense YSZ electrolyte. It was then calcined to remove the volatile elements and finally sintered. On the other side of the electrolyte a multifunctional cathode made of a composite material, La0,8Sr0,2MnO3+δ/Zr2O3-Y2O3, was applied. The first layer consisted of a functional cathode film of LSM/YSZ (50/50% by mass), the second layer being a pure cathode of LSM (La0.8Sr0.2MnO3). Over the porous support of YSZ, successive impregnations with an aqueous solution of ceria nitrate were applied. Afterwards, similarly, impregnations with an aqueous solution of copper were applied, to obtain the desired weight percentage concentration for each element. The porous support was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) through the analysis of surface and fracture, where it was observed the porous structure formed due to the use of particles of starch. The amount, morphology and spatial distribution of elements, were analyzed by Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) with mapping, showing the concentration of ceria, copper and YSZ throughout the volume of the anode. The Suitability to the use of fuel ethanol and hydrogen in the La0,8Sr0,2MnO3/YSZ/Cu-CeO2-YSZ cell was analyzed by the electrochemical performance of the open circuit potential, current density and power density.
Ethanol; PaCOS; Cu-Céria/YSZ anode
