ABSTRACT
An increase in the carbon emission and demand for the electricity from non-conventional resources have influenced the growth of fuel cell technology. The evolution of electric and/or hybrid electric vehicles has further extended the adoption scope of fuel cells. As an alternative sustainable energy technology, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are a versatile, highly efficient power source that could play a vital role in the future of energy. SOFCs could be used in a variety of applications, from serving as a power supply for buildings to increasing fuel efficiency in vehicles.
A basic SOFC system consists of a cathode, anode, and electrolyte. Fuels are oxidized at the anode, and oxidants (oxygen or air) are reduced at the cathode under specific catalytic conditions as per the following cell reactions:
1/2O2 + 2e− ↔ O2− Cathodic reaction
H2 + O2− ↔ H2O + 2e− Anodic reaction
H2 + O2−- ↔ H2O + 2e− Anodic reaction
These electrodes (cathode and anode) provide not only the reaction site but also the catalyst for the electrochemical reaction. This chapter focuses on the various perovskite and related oxides as catalysts for SOFC.
