Sulfur-Tolerant Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Anodes

In this SBIR Phase II proposal (Topic OSD06-EP1), NexTech Materials, Ltd. will seek further development of the solid oxide fuel cell anode materials that were explored in Phase I. In Phase II, NexTech will use the anode platform that was established in Phase I to improve the understanding of sulfur poisoning and stabilization mechanisms, to optimize the anode design and cell performance, to conduct large-area single-cell and stack testing with H2S-containing simulated reformate fuels, and to extend the analytical and experimental work to other stack components. At the end of Year 1 of the program, NexTech will deliver ten full-size planar cells with sulfur tolerant anodes to the Air Force. The second year of the project will focus on the fabrication and testing of SOFC stacks, with a focus on operation with realistic fuels, high fuel utilization conditions, and cycling modes of operation. At the end of Year 2, a 500-watt SOFC stack designed to provide stable power generation on a sulfur-laden synthetic reformate will be delivered to the Air Force.