Effect of structural properties of carbon-based fuels on efficiency of direct carbon fuel cells

Abstract

This research is focused on the effect of supplying solid oxide fuel cells with different graphite and carbon black powders on the cells’ efficiency. Before being tested in the fuel cell, the structures of carbon-based fuels were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermal analysis method (DTA/TG). Total electrical conductivity measurements were also carried out for carbon samples. The relation between the structure and morphology of solid particles and their performance in direct carbon solid oxide fuel cells (DC-SOFC) was presented and discussed. It was found that structurally disordered carbon-based materials are the most promising fuels for oxidation in DC-SOFCs.