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Various disadvantages such as indolent oxidation/reduction and carbon-hydrogen (C–H) activation has hindered the commercialization of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) operated with multi fuels at low temperatures (i.e. 400-700)°C. Extensive efforts have been made for the efficient performance of SOFCs by utilizing safe and cheap hydrocarbon fuels at low temperatures. In the current investigation, electrochemical performance of novel anode and cathode material SrMo 0.5 Fe 0.5 O 3-δ (SMFO) is evaluated in the presence of multi-fuels such as hydrogen (gaseous), ethanol (liquid) and sub-bituminous coal (solid) at low temperature ∼ 700 °C. SMFO (synthesized through solid state reaction route) is thoroughly investigated via X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). The average particle size measured is in the range from (60–90) nm. The electrical conductivity and power density is obtained between (190–389) S/cm and (994–1796) × 10−3 W/cm2 respectively among the various fuels. SMFO nanomaterial exhibits greater electrical conduction ∼390Scm−1 and power density ∼1687 × 10−3W/cm2 with ethanol to be utilized as fuel. The activation energies for SMFO are found to be (1.06, 0.65, 0.56) eV in the presence of hydrogen, ethanol and coal respectively. The active conduction and improved power densities make the fabricated nanomaterial well suited for SOFCs (at low temperature) both as cathode and anode with multi-fuel consumption. [Display omitted] • Novel SMFO is synthesized via solid state reaction route. • SMFO is fuel flexible symmetric electrode material for SOFCs at low temperature. • SMFO is operated successfully with hydrogen, ethanol and sub-bituminous coal. • Maximum conductivity and power density were indicated with ethanol as fuel. • Lowest activation energies ∼0.56eV was obtained for sub-bituminous coal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high operating temperature for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) is one of the major obstacles in the advancement and marketing of the fuel cell technology. Mixed metal oxides Cu 0.5 Sr 0.5 (CS) and La 0.2 doped Cu 0.4 Sr 0.4 (LCS) nanocomposites, fabricated through a mild and cost effective pechini method were used as an efficient remedy in this context. The nanocomposites were evaluated for phase purity and structural analysis through X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Particle size calculated was ~37.21 nm (for CS) and 62.43 nm (for LCS) via XRD, while SEM revealed the size ranged from (43–72) nm. Performance of the symmetrical triple layered cells was tested in the temperature range of 500–600 °C with H 2 fuel. LCS nanocomposites exhibited higher electrical conductivity ~4.70 S/cm and greater power density ~782 mW/cm2 as compared to CS nanocomposites for which the electrical conductivity and power density were achieved as 4.40 S/cm and 725 mW/cm2 respectively. The activation energy for CS and LCS were found to be 0.23 and 0.26eV respectively. The reliable and enhanced power densities make the synthesized nanocomposites as potential candidates for low temperature SOFCs as anode and cathode. Image 1 • Mixed metal oxides nanocomposites. • Symmetrical Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs). • Low working temperature. • Enhanced power density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficient performance of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) by utilizing safe and cost effective hydrocarbon fuels at low temperature is really a challenging task due to C –H activation and sluggish oxidation/reduction kinetics. In this study a novel [Sr 0.4 La 0.6 (Fe 0.75 Ti 0.25) 0.6 Ni 0.4 O 3-δ ] (SLFTNO) nanocomposite was synthesized via solid state reaction route and was evaluated electrochemically in presence of multifuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, methane and ethanol. Phase purity and structural analysis was carried out through X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). The average crystallite size calculated was ranged from 60-100 nm. The electrical conductivity and power density was measured between (89–226) S/cm and (147–318) mW/cm2 respectively among different fuels. This study indicated the synthesized SLFTNO nanocomposite as stable and efficient multifuels candidate for SOFCs. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]