Phosphine Effects on Ni-Based Anode Material and Related SOFC Button Cell Performance Investigation

Phosphine (PH₃) is one of the trace contaminants found in coal-derived syngas that degrade the solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) anode structural properties and electrochemical performances. In this research, the SOFC button cells are exposed to ppm level of PH₃ in dry and moist hydrogen under OCV and loading conditions to study PH₃ poisoning effect on SOFC performance. A modified Sagnac optical system is utilized for in-situ SOFC anode surface IR emission measurements as a function of current density, along with the cell electrochemical performance investigation. The experimental results indicate that the Ni-based SOFC anode is more susceptible to degradation due to PH₃ in moist hydrogen than in dry hydrogen condition. The degradation effects of PH₃ on the SOFCs anode are also analyzed by post experiment characterization using SEM, EDX, and XRD.