title: Electrostatic Force Microscopic Characterization of Early Stage Carbon Deposition on Nickel Anodes in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.
abstract: Carbon deposition on nickel anodes degrades the performance of solid oxide fuel cells that utilize hydrocarbon fuels. Nickel anodes with BaO nanoclusters deposited on the surface exhibit improved performance by delaying carbon deposition (i.e., coking). The goal of this research was to visualize early stage deposition of carbon on nickel surface and to identify the role BaO nanoclusters play in coking resistance. Electrostatic force microscopy was employed to spatially map carbon deposition on nickel foils patterned with BaO nanoclusters. Image analysis reveals that upon propane exposure initial carbon deposition occurs on the Ni surface at a distance from the BaO features. With continued exposure, carbon deposits penetrate into the BaO-modified regions. After extended exposure, carbon accumulates on and covers BaO. The morphology and spatial distribution of deposited carbon was found to be sensitive to experimental conditions.
authors: Department of Energy Engineering, School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) , Ulsan 689-798, Republic of Korea.
authors: Hyungmin
authors: H
authors: Park
authors: Xiaxi
authors: X
authors: Li
authors: Samson Y
authors: SY
authors: Lai
authors: Dongchang
authors: D
authors: Chen
authors: Kevin S
authors: KS
authors: Blinn
authors: Mingfei
authors: M
authors: Liu
authors: Department of Energy Engineering, School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) , Ulsan 689-798, Republic of Korea.
authors: Sinho
authors: S
authors: Choi
authors: Meilin
authors: M
authors: Liu
authors: Department of Energy Engineering, School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) , Ulsan 689-798, Republic of Korea.
authors: Soojin
authors: S
authors: Park
authors: Lawrence A
authors: LA
authors: Bottomley
keywords: Electrostatic force microscopy (EFM); barium oxide; coking; nickel; solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs)