In theory, Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) can operate on any combustible fuel to enable efficient generation of electrical power from current fuels; however, traditional SOFC are limited to hydrogen fuel due to the use of nickel as the fuel electrode (anode) catalyst. Although effective for hydrogen utilization and internal steam reforming of hydrocarbons, nickel catalyzes graphite formation at low steam:carbon ratios leading to mechanical failure of the cell. The development of new anode materials is an active research area. Recently, the perovskite structure oxide La_0.75Sr_0.25Cr_0.5Mn_0.5O_3-d (LSCM) has been shown effective for the direct oxidation of methane at the SOFC anode. The SOFC anode must be a good electron and oxygen anion conductor and be catalytically active for hydrocarbon oxidation. This is achieved by utilizing an LSCM/Yttria-stabilized zirconia composite where LSCM provides electronic conductivity and catalytic activity.

In this study, we optimize the performance of La_0.75Sr_0.25Cr_0.5Mn_0.5O_3-d anodes by examining the influence of LSCM loading in the anode on fuel cell performance. In addition, we evaluate methods for improving the electronic conductivity of the anode through the addition of a carbonaceous phase from operating in butane, or the addition of copper.