Nanostructured coating layer for anode materials in fuell cell fed with biogas

Energy and environment challenges to promote security and sustainability are focused on research in energy technology in order to enhance the energy efficiency and the use of cleaner fuels. The conversion of biomass chemical energy into electrical energy using fuel cells plays a key role to address the issues related to the global energy security, the local energy independence, the environmental protection and the economic growth. Molten carbonate fuel cell is especially suitable for bioenergy production because it can be fed directly with biogas, whose primary constituents all improve the performance of the cell. However hydrogen sulfide, which is the main biogas impurity, poisons the nickel based anode, affecting the power and the endurance of the cell. In order to overcame this problem, it has been developing innovative anode materials that resist against the sulfide corrosions. In particular, conventional nickel based anode covered with ceria thin layer performs sulphur tolerance and recovering capability.