Non-noble metal-loaded and zirconia-doped cerium oxide for water electrolysis in SOEC promoted by natural gas

By introducing methane oxidation into the anode of solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC), the power consumption can greatly be reduced during water electrolysis. In this study, the non-noble metal-loaded and zirconia-stabilized cerium oxides were used as anode catalysts to achieve methane oxidation at the anode, resulting in a reduced cell voltage of water electrolysis. The results show that the catalyst prepared by the sol–gel method with excellent electrochemical performance exhibits the lowest electrolysis voltage, while the performances under methane and Ar anode atmosphere are similar due to its low methane oxidation activity. The high methane oxidation activity of the anode catalyst is crucial to reducing the cell voltage for water electrolysis under a methane anode atmosphere through lowering the oxygen partial pressure. Both good electrochemical performance and methane oxidation activity are required to reduce the electrolysis voltages under a methane anode atmosphere, and Ni is the most suitable active metal for this system.