Co2CrO4 Nanopowders as an Anode Catalyst for Simultaneous Conversion of Ethane to Ethylene and Power in Proton-Conducting Fuel Cell Reactors

This study investigates the ethane conversion in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) reactors, comprising a nanosized Co–Cr 2 O 3 nanocomposite anode catalyst, a proton-conducting BaCe 0.8 Y 0.15 Nd 0.05 O 3−δ (BCYN) electrolyte, and a porous Pt cathode, for the purpose of cogenerating value-added ethylene with high selectivity and electrical power. The Co–Cr 2 O 3 nanocomposite anode catalyst is achieved by reducing the Co 2 CrO 4 precursor particles of about 5 nm, by a citrate–nitrate combustion method at an elevated temperature, whereas the BCYN dense membrane is obtained by sintering the BYCN precursor powders at 1400 °C for 10 h. The protonic SOFC reactor cogenerates a maximum power density of 173 mW·cm –2 and an ethylene yield of 32% at a selectivity of 91.6% at 700 °C. More importantly, no detectable acetylene and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emission are formed, suggesting the superior electrocatalytic activity and dehydrogenation activity of the Co–Cr 2 O 3 nanocomposite for the cogeneration of ethylene and electricity.