Graphene-based Oxygen Reduction Electrodes for Low Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

In this report, we present a study of using nitrogen-doped graphene as the air electrode of low temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs) operating at 350 degrees C or lower. Three graphene derivatives were prepared through hydrothermal reactions and their electrochemical performance and material properties were characterized in the temperature range of 225-350 degrees C in atmospheric air. Nitrogen-doped graphene was found to exhibit a decent air electrode performance comparable to a porous Pt electrode aged for 8 h at 350 degrees C, but only for a limited time. After similar to 10 h of operation at 350 degrees C, the electrode performance degraded significantly due to carbon oxidation. However, alternative routes of synthesizing/doping graphene derivatives are expected to improve the viability of using these materials as a practical high temperature air electrode.