The efficient operation of SOFC anode [1, 2] is strongly depends on its microstructural parameters such as particle size, composition and spatial distributions of the constituent phases. In this work microstructure, catalytic activity and mechanical behaviour of Ni-10Sc1CeSZ anode were studied.

NiO-10Sc1CeSZ composites were made with conventional powder technigue with different amount of NiO: 40-, 65-, 75-wt. %. The initial powder of NiO and ZrO₂ were studied with SEM, BET and laser granulometry. Catalytic activity of the reduced samples was characterized by conversion of СН₄ into СО₂ and temperature of achievement of the certain level of the methane conversion. Biaxial strength of reduced and non-reduced anodes was determined at ambient temperature in air by the biaxial flexure test (ball-on-ball) [3]. Anode specimens were reduced in hydrogen at the temperature of 600 °C. The fracture surfaces of non-reduced and reduced samples were studied with SEM.

Degradation of structure of composite results in decrease not only the strength but also its catalytic activity. As result, the anodes with higher nickel content have lower catalytic activity in comparison with 40-wt. % NiO–ZrO₂ anodes due to coagulation of Ni particles. Anodes with 40 wt. % NiO showed 50 % of CH₄ conversion at 500 ^oC, whereas anodes with 75-wt. % reach the same conversion level only at 550 ^oC. Comparing CH₄ conversion for anodes at 600 ^oC, which is the working temperature of intermediate temperature SOFC, it seems that 40-wt. % NiO–ZrO₂ anode reached conversion over 80 %, what is 10 % higher than for anodes with 65-, 75-wt. % NiO content. When temperature is above 700 ^oC the NiO content in anodes has no significant influence on its conversion ability.

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1. The structure research of sintered in vacuum Ti-5.4Si after which was obtained by sputtering
2. Mechanical behavior of NiO-10Sc1CeSZ ceramics in high-temperature hydrogen environment