Showing papers by "Zongping Shao published in 2016"
TL;DR: In this article, a simple and effective strategy for enhancing ORR and OER electrocatalytic activity in alkaline solution by introducing A-site cation deficiency in LaFeO3 perovskite was reported.
Abstract: Development of cost-effective and efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is of prime importance to emerging renewable energy technologies. Here, we report a simple and effective strategy for enhancing ORR and OER electrocatalytic activity in alkaline solution by introducing A-site cation deficiency in LaFeO3 perovskite; the enhancement effect is more pronounced for the OER than the ORR. Among the A-site cation deficient perovskites studied, La0.95FeO3-δ (L0.95F) demonstrates the highest ORR and OER activity and, hence, the best bifunctionality. The dramatic enhancement is attributed to the creation of surface oxygen vacancies and a small amount of Fe4+ species. This work highlights the importance of tuning cation deficiency in perovskites as an effective strategy for enhancing ORR and OER activity for applications in various oxygen-based energy storage and conversion processes.
578 citations
TL;DR: Perovskite oxides are demonstrated for the first time as efficient electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline solutions with improved HER performance originates from the modified surface electronic structures and properties of Pr0.5BSCF induced by the Pr-doping.
Abstract: Perovskite oxides are demonstrated for the first time as efficient electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline solutions. A-site praseodymium-doped Pr0.5 (Ba0.5 Sr0.5 )0.5 Co0.8 Fe0.2 O3- δ (Pr0.5BSCF) exhibits dramatically enhanced HER activity and stability compared to Ba0.5 Sr0.5 Co0.8 Fe0.2 O3- δ (BSCF), superior to many well-developed bulk/nanosized nonprecious electrocatalysts. The improved HER performance originates from the modified surface electronic structures and properties of Pr0.5BSCF induced by the Pr-doping.
390 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a metal-free activation of persulfate (PS) on annealed nanodiamonds (ANDs) was investigated, which demonstrated superior performances in decomposition of various pollutants to conventional metal-based catalysis.
Abstract: Production of radicals by metal-free catalysis is expected to offer a promising oxidative reaction for remediation of emerging contaminants. In this study, novel metal-free activation of persulfate (PS) on annealed nanodiamonds (ANDs) was investigated, which demonstrated superior performances in decomposition of various pollutants to conventional metal-based catalysis. Comprehensive investigations on the effects of reaction parameters, such as solution pH, reaction temperature, initial phenol concentration, catalyst loading, PS usage, the presence of chlorine ions and humic acid, on phenol degradation were carried out. In addition, nanodiamond (ND) material optimization and reusability were also studied. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and selective organic degradation unraveled that the PS/AND system may produce both hydroxyl radicals ( OH) and sulfate radicals (SO4 −), initialized from oxidizing water molecules on the nanodiamond surface. The carbocatalysts served as an excellent electron tunnel to facilitate the charge transfer from water or hydroxide ions to PS, and the oxidized intermediates may play a crucial role in PS activation. Electrochemical analyses in PS oxidant solution and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) were carried out to understand O O bond activation by the metal-free catalysis. This study provides an environmentally benign and highly efficient oxidative reaction system with reactive radicals along with insights into the metal-free PS activation process.
372 citations
TL;DR: The advances in non-enzymatic glucose sensors based on different metal oxides (such as ZnO, CuO/Cu2O, NiO, Co3O4, MnO2, etc.) and their nanocomposites are summarized and a brief prospective is presented onMetal oxides for glucose sensors.
Abstract: Glucose sensors have been extensively developed because of their broad applications, especially in diabetes diagnosis. Up to date, electrochemical enzymatic glucose sensors are commonly used in daily life for glucose detection and commercially successful as glucose-meters because they exhibit excellent selectivity, high reliability, and could be handled under physiological pH conditions. However, considering some intrinsic disadvantages of enzymes, such as high fabrication cost and poor stability, non-enzymatic glucose sensors have attracted increasing research interest in recent years due to their low cost, high stability, prompt response, and low detection limit. Furthermore, the development of nanotechnology has also offered new opportunities to construct nanostructured electrodes for glucose sensing applications. With distinguished advantages, metal oxides have garnered extensive effort in the development of cost-effective sensors with high stability, sensitivity and quick response for the determination of glucose via electrochemical oxidation. Hence, this review summarizes the advances in non-enzymatic glucose sensors based on different metal oxides (such as ZnO, CuO/Cu2O, NiO, Co3O4, MnO2, etc.) and their nanocomposites. Additionally, a brief prospective is presented on metal oxides for glucose sensors.
316 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a tetragonal perovskite oxides, namely, SrCo095P005O3-delta (SCP) was developed, which features higher electrical conductivity and larger amount of O2(2-)/O-species relative to the non-doped parent, and thus showed improved OER activity.
Abstract: Developing cost-effective and efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is of paramount importance for the storage of renewable energies Perovskite oxides serve as attractive candidates given their structural and compositional flexibility in addition to high intrinsic catalytic activity In a departure from the conventional doping approach utilizing metal elements only, here it is shown that non-metal element doping provides an another attractive avenue to optimize the structure stability and OER performance of perovskite oxides This is exemplified by a novel tetragonal perovskite developed in this work, ie, SrCo095P005O3-delta (SCP) which features higher electrical conductivity and larger amount of O2(2-)/O-species relative to the non-doped parent SrCoO3-delta (SC), and thus shows improved OER activity Also, the performance of SCP compares favorably to that of well-developed perovskite oxides reported More importantly, an unusual activation process with enhanced activity during accelerated durability test (ADT) is observed for SCP, whereas SC delivers deactivation for the OER Such an activation phenomenon for SCP may be primarily attributed to the in situ formation of active A-site-deficient structure on the surface and the increased electrochemical surface area during ADT The concept presented here bolsters the prospect to develop a viable alternative to precious metal-based catalysts
245 citations
TL;DR: A synergistic co‐doping strategy is proposed to identify a series of BaCo0.1O3–δ perovskites with tunable electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) through tailoring the relative concentrations of less OER‐active tin and iron dopants.
Abstract: A synergistic co-doping strategy is proposed to identify a series of BaCo0.9-x Fe x Sn0.1O3-δ perovskites with tunable electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Simply through tailoring the relative concentrations of less OER-active tin and iron dopants, a cubic perovskite structure (BaCo0.7Fe0.2Sn0.1O3-δ) is stabilized, showing intrinsic OER activity >1 order of magnitude larger than IrO2 and a Tafel slope of 69 mV dec-1.
240 citations
TL;DR: A novel silver nanoparticle-decorated perovskite oxide is reported, prepared via a facile exsolution process from a Sr0.9O3-δ (SANC) pervskite precursor, as a highly active and robust ORR electrocatalyst for low-temperature SOFCs.
Abstract: Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have potential to be the cleanest and most efficient electrochemical energy conversion devices with excellent fuel flexibility. To make SOFC systems more durable and economically competitive, however, the operation temperature must be significantly reduced, which depends sensitively on the development of highly active electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at low temperatures. Here we report a novel silver nanoparticle-decorated perovskite oxide, prepared via a facile exsolution process from a Sr0.95Ag0.05Nb0.1Co0.9O3-δ (SANC) perovskite precursor, as a highly active and robust ORR electrocatalyst for low-temperature SOFCs. The exsolved Sr0.95Ag0.05Nb0.1Co0.9O3-δ (denoted as e-SANC) electrode is very active for ORR, achieving a very low area specific resistance (∼0.214 Ω cm2 at 500 °C). An anode-supported cell with the new heterostructured cathode demonstrates very high peak power density (1116 mW cm–2 at 500 °C) and stable operation for 140 h at a current dens...
185 citations
TL;DR: The vital role of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on the structure and the oxygen reduction reaction activity of the non‐precious‐metal‐based pyrolyzed catalyst is reported and elaborated and the resultant catalyst can overtake the performance of commercial Pt/C catalyst in an alkaline medium.
Abstract: The vital role of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on the structure and the oxygen reduction reaction activity of the non-precious-metal-based pyrolyzed catalyst is reported and elaborated. The resultant catalyst can overtake the performance of commercial Pt/C catalyst in an alkaline medium.
106 citations
TL;DR: Perovskite-type SrCo0.9 Nb0.1 O3-δ (SCN) as a novel anion-intercalated electrode material for supercapacitors in an aqueous KOH electrolyte demonstrating a very high volumetric capacitance and robust long-term stability is synthesized and characterized.
Abstract: We have synthesized and characterized perovskite-type SrCo0.9 Nb0.1 O3-δ (SCN) as a novel anion-intercalated electrode material for supercapacitors in an aqueous KOH electrolyte, demonstrating a very high volumetric capacitance of about 2034.6 F cm(-3) (and gravimetric capacitance of ca. 773.6 F g(-1) ) at a current density of 0.5 A g(-1) while maintaining excellent cycling stability with a capacity retention of 95.7 % after 3000 cycles. When coupled with an activated carbon (AC) electrode, the SCN/AC asymmetric supercapacitor delivered a specific energy density as high as 37.6 Wh kg(-1) with robust long-term stability.
104 citations
TL;DR: In this article, hierarchical porous hollow carbon spheres with an indented void structure have been designed as hosts for high-performance cathode materials for lithium-sulfur batteries, achieving a remarkable initial discharge capacity of 1478 mA hg−1 at 1/10C (1C = 1675 mA g−1).
Abstract: Hierarchically porous hollow carbon spheres with an indented void structure have been designed as hosts for high-performance cathode materials for lithium–sulfur batteries. With a diameter of approximately 100 nm and a pore volume of 3.72 cm3 g−1, the hosts can retain sulfur within the porous structures, including the external cone-like cavities, the porous carbon shells, and the inner linings. The exquisite indented structure provides excellent electron and Li-ion pathways while the symmetrically indented voids evenly alleviate the stress induced by the volume change during cycling. The oxygen functional groups further relieve the shuttle effect of polysulfide. A composite electrode with 52% sulfur loading demonstrates a remarkable initial discharge capacity of 1478 mA h g−1 at 1/10C (1C = 1675 mA g−1), corresponding to 88% sulfur utilization. Even when the sulfur/carbon (S/C) ratio of the composite is increased threefold from 1 : 1 to 3 : 1 (75% sulfur loading), a very high capacity retention is still maintained, achieving an ultraslow rate of capacity fading, ∼0.047% per cycle over 1200 cycles at 1/2C.
98 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors showed the scalable synthesis of self-standing sulfur-doped flexible graphene films as the anode materials for SIBs, demonstrating up to 377 mAhh g−1 capacity at 100 mAhg−1 current density as well as an excellent rate capability and a moderate decay rate of 0.106% per cycle.
TL;DR: In this paper, a composite of MoO 2 and Mo 2 C is fabricated through a facile ion-exchange route for the first time as an alternative anode material for lithium-ion batteries.
TL;DR: The SSNC cathode shows better tolerance to CO2 as compared with BSCF, which is attributed to the absence of Ba, higher average metal-oxygen bond energy (ABE) of SSNC, and the higher acidity of Nb(5+) cations, whereas the oxygen vacancy concentration plays a less important role.
Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is a highly efficient device for converting chemical energy to electrical energy. In addition to the efforts to reduce the operating temperature of SOFCs to below 600 °C, research studies of the basic mechanism of CO2 poisoning on cathode materials are envisioned to improve the operation of dual-chamber SOFCs using ambient air. In this work, we comparatively studied the CO2 poisoning effect on two highly active perovskites SrSc0.175Nb0.025Co0.8O3-δ (SSNC) and Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-δ (BSCF), using complementary characterization techniques, e.g., powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), CO2-temperature-programmed desorption (CO2-TPD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The SSNC cathode shows better tolerance to CO2 as compared with BSCF, which is attributed to the absence of Ba, higher average metal–oxygen bond energy (ABE) of SSNC, and the higher acidity ...
TL;DR: It is suggested that cation leaching effect should be seriously considered in the development of new perovskite materials as electrodes for supercapacitor because of poor cycling stability from serious Ba( 2+) and Sr(2+) leaching.
Abstract: Oxygen ions can be exploited as a charge carrier to effectively realize a new type of anion-intercalation supercapacitor. In this study, to get some useful guidelines for future materials development, we comparatively studied SrCoO3−δ (SC), Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ (BSCF), and Co3O4 as electrodes in supercapacitors with aqueous alkaline electrolyte. The effect of interaction between the electrode materials with the alkaline solution was focused on the structure and specific surface area of the electrode material, and ultimately the electrochemical performance was emphasized. Both BSCF and SC were found to experience cation leaching in alkaline solution, resulting in an increase in the specific surface area of the material, but overleaching caused the damage of perovskite structure of BSCF. Barium leaching was more serious than strontium, and the cation leaching was component dependent. Although high initial capacitance was achieved for BSCF, it was not a good candidate as intercalation-type electrode for ...
TL;DR: A systematic study on the OER and ORR performances of the Ruddlesden-Popper family of La(n+1)Ni(n) O(3n-1) (n=1, 2, 3, and ∞) in an alkaline medium for the first time, which provides guidelines to develop new electrocatalysts with improved performances.
Abstract: Increasing energy demands have stimulated intense research activity on cleaner energy conversion such as regenerative fuel cells and reversible metal-air batteries. It is highly challenging but desirable to develop low-cost bifunctional catalysts for both the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), the lack of which is currently one of the major limiting components towards commercialization of these technologies. Here, we have conducted a systematic study on the OER and ORR performances of the Ruddlesden-Popper family of La(n+1)Ni(n) O(3n+1) (n=1, 2, 3, and ∞) in an alkaline medium for the first time. It is apparent that the Ni-O bond lengths and the hyperstoichiometric oxides in the rock-salt layers correlate with the ORR activities, whereas the OER activities appear to be influenced by the OH(-) content on the surface of the compounds. In our case, the electronic configuration fails to predict the electrocatalytic activity of these compounds. This work provides guidelines to develop new electrocatalysts with improved performances.
TL;DR: Exsolved from and well bonded to the parent electrode under well-controlled conditions, the NiO nanoparticles uniformly distributed on the surface of the parent electrodes greatly enhance cathode performance, demonstrating ORR activity better than that of the benchmark cobalt-based Ba0.5Sr0.8Fe0.2O3-δ.
Abstract: The successful development of low-cost, durable electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at intermediate temperatures is critical for broad commercialization of solid oxide fuel cells. Here, we report our findings in design, fabrication, and characterization of a cobalt-free SrFe0.85Ti0.1Ni0.05O3−δ cathode decorated with NiO nanoparticles. Exsolved from and well bonded to the parent electrode under well-controlled conditions, the NiO nanoparticles uniformly distributed on the surface of the parent electrode greatly enhance cathode performance, demonstrating ORR activity better than that of the benchmark cobalt-based Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ. Further, a process for regeneration of the NiO nanoparticles was also developed to mitigate potential performance degradation due to coarsening of NiO particles under practical operating conditions. As a general approach, this exsolution–dissolution of electrocatalytically active nanoparticles on an electrode surface may be applicable to the development of...
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of incorporating basic oxides on the phase composition, electrical conductivity, microstructure, coking tolerance and catalytic/electrocatalytic activity of the anodes are systematically studied.
TL;DR: In this paper, the recent progress in the application of an important category of materials, i.e., ABO3 perovskite-type compounds in the fields of energy storage and conversion, is reviewed.
Abstract: In this review, the recent progress in the application of an important category of materials, i.e. ABO3 perovskite-type compounds in the fields of energy storage and conversion, is reviewed. Four main areas, as materials for oxygen transporting membrane toward the application in oxy-fuel combustion, as key material for solid oxide fuel cells for efficient power generation from fuels, as room-temperature electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction and oxygen evolution reaction, and as material for solar cells for solar energy harvest, are referred. Our past efforts in these research areas are emphasized. Some prospects about the future development in the application of perovskite materials in energy storage and conversion is proposed. © 2016 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: The highly conductive NCF and flexible network, the mesoporous structure and nanocrystalline size of theTiO2 phase, the firm adhesion of TiO2 over the wall of the NCFs, the small volume change in the TiO1 during the charge/discharge processes, and the high cut-off potential contribute to the excellent capacity, rate capability, and cycling stability of the Ti O2 /NCFs flexible electrode.
Abstract: A simple and green method is developed for the preparation of nanostructured TiO2 supported on nitrogen-doped carbon foams (NCFs) as a free-standing and flexible electrode for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), in which the TiO2 with 2.5-4 times higher loading than the conventional TiO2 -based flexible electrodes acts as the active material. In addition, the NCFs act as a flexible substrate and efficient conductive networks. The nanocrystalline TiO2 with a uniform size of ≈10 nm form a mesoporous layer covering the wall of the carbon foam. When used directly as a flexible electrode in a LIB, a capacity of 188 mA h g-1 is achieved at a current density of 200 mA g-1 for a potential window of 1.0-3.0 V, and a specific capacity of 149 mA h g-1 after 100 cycles at a current density of 1000 mA g-1 is maintained. The highly conductive NCF and flexible network, the mesoporous structure and nanocrystalline size of the TiO2 phase, the firm adhesion of TiO2 over the wall of the NCFs, the small volume change in the TiO2 during the charge/discharge processes, and the high cut-off potential contribute to the excellent capacity, rate capability, and cycling stability of the TiO2 /NCFs flexible electrode.
TL;DR: The oxygen reduction/evolution reaction activities are remarkably enhanced by employing H-PBM and can be ascribed to the introduction of additional oxygen vacancies, an optimized eg filling of Mn ions, and the facile incorporation of oxygen into layered H- PBM.
TL;DR: In this article, three routes, including solution combustion, sol-gel process and solid-state reaction, were applied to synthesize the bulk-sized BSCF perovskites.
TL;DR: In this article, a composition of BaFe0·95Sn0·05O3−δ (BFS) as a new cathode material for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs) is synthesized and characterized.
TL;DR: BSNM not only shows favorable activity in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at intermediate temperatures but also exhibits a low thermal expansion coefficient, excellent structural stability, and good chemical compatibility with the electrolyte.
Abstract: The Aurivillius oxide Bi2 Sr2 Nb2 MnO12-δ (BSNM) was used as a cobalt-free cathode for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). To the best of our knowledge, the BSNM oxide is the only alkaline-earth-containing cathode material with complete CO2 tolerance that has been reported thus far. BSNM not only shows favorable activity in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at intermediate temperatures but also exhibits a low thermal expansion coefficient, excellent structural stability, and good chemical compatibility with the electrolyte. These features highlight the potential of the new BSNM material as a highly promising cathode material for IT-SOFCs.
TL;DR: In this article, a composite material with ultralow Pt loading was developed as a bifunctional catalyst for the ORR and OER in alkaline media, which was fabricated via simple ultrasonic mixing.
Abstract: Oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR and OER) are of prime importance for many energy conversion and storage devices, such as regenerative fuel cells and rechargeable metal–air batteries. However, the sluggish kinetics of the ORR and OER strongly limit the efficiency and performance of these electrochemical systems and jeopardize the route of commercialization. Therefore, the design and development of bifunctional electrocatalysts with high activity for both the ORR and OER is challenging but urgent and crucial. Here, we took advantage of Pt/C and LiCoO2 with outstanding ORR activity and high intrinsic OER activity, respectively, to develop a composite material with ultralow Pt loading as a bifunctional catalyst for the ORR and OER in alkaline media. This catalyst was fabricated via simple ultrasonic mixing, exhibiting superb electrocatalytic activity and good stability. Its ORR activity is comparable to that of the commercial Pt/C catalyst and its OER activity is better than that of single LiCoO2, owing to the synergetic effect between Pt and LiCoO2, which has been demonstrated through the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterisation technique. Remarkably, surprisingly high ORR mass activity (2.04 A mgPt−1 at 0.8 V vs. RHE) and enhanced bifunctionality (ΔE = 0.91 V) were obtained for the Pt–LiCoO2 composite catalyst with a mass ratio of 1 : 49 for Pt/LiCoO2. Our work opens up a new track to exploit highly efficient catalysts with reduced consumption of Pt, meanwhile maintaining the optimal catalytic activity and durability.
TL;DR: In this article, a K2NiF4-type layer-structured oxide, La0.6Sr1.8O1.4MnO4+δ (LSMO4), is tuned into a potential electrode for intermediate-temperature symmetrical solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SSOFCs) through surface modification.
Abstract: A K2NiF4-type layer-structured oxide, La0.6Sr1.4MnO4+δ (LSMO4), is tuned into a potential electrode for intermediate-temperature symmetrical solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SSOFCs) through surface modification. Bulk-phase LSMO4 shows high chemical stability under both oxidizing and reducing atmospheres and good thermo-mechanical compatibility with the Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9 (SDC) electrolyte; however, it exhibits insufficient electro-catalytic activity for both the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxidation of fuels. Surface modification through infiltration is applied to improve the electro-catalytic activity of the LSMO4-based electrode; both SDC and NiO are explored. The co-modification of the LSMO4 electrode with SDC and NiO is found to provide the best performance. In particular, LSMO4–SDC–NiO shows the highest cathodic performance with an area specific resistance (ASR) of only 0.17 Ω cm2 at 700 °C. Under optimized conditions, a maximum power density of 614 mW cm−2 at 800 °C is achieved for an electrolyte-supported symmetrical SOFC with surface modified LSMO4-based electrodes operating with hydrogen, and a 378 mW cm−2 maximum power output is still achieved at 800 °C when methane is applied as the fuel. The symmetrical cell also shows good operational stability with both hydrogen and methane fuels. Through proper surface modification based on the infiltration method, the results demonstrate that LSMO4 can be developed into favorable electrodes for IT-SSOFCs, which are capable of operating with both hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuels.
TL;DR: In this paper, a LaCo 0.3Fe 0.03O3-delta (LCFPd) material with superior catalytic activity under both oxidizing and reducing atmospheres due to the slight Pd-doping was reported.
TL;DR: In this paper, carbon-coated hierarchical acanthosphere-like Li4Ti5O12 microspheres (AM-LTO) were prepared via a two-step hydrothermal process with low-cost glucose as the organic carbon source.
TL;DR: In this paper, an independent Ni cermet anode was applied to reduce coking when operating in methane-based fuels, in which the catalyst layer was separated from a Ni-cermet anodes.
Abstract: An independent catalyst layer is applied to develop a highly effective way to reduce coking when operating in methane based fuels, in which the catalyst layer is separated from a Ni cermet anode. In this way, Ni cermet anode conductivity is not influenced, and cell cracking due to the thermal–mechanical stress from the mismatched thermal expansion coefficients (TECs) between the catalyst and anode materials, the temperature gradients within the anode caused by the highly endothermic reforming reaction of methane, and the large internal strain during the reduction process is also avoided. La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (LSCF), which is co-pressed with an Al2O3 substrate into a double-layered slice with a mesoporous structure, functions as an independent catalyst layer of the Ni-based anode. Under SOFC operating conditions, a K2NiF4-type oxide (Sr,La)FeO4 with homogeneously dispersed CoFe alloy nanoparticles is formed, which shows good catalytic activity for methane partial oxidation with 88% conversion at 950 °C in a mixture of CH4 and O2 (1 : 1). A conventional cell with the state-of-art Ni cermet anode (NiO–8% Y stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ)/YSZ/La0.8Sr0.2MnO3–YSZ) is constructed and the electrochemical performance of cells with and without the independent catalyst layer is tested. In wet methane, the voltage of the conventional cell without the catalyst layer declines rapidly from 0.7 V to 0.1 V within 20 min at 333 mA cm−2 and 800 °C. In contrast, the voltage of the modified cell with an independent catalyst layer stabilizes at 0.79 V with negligible degradation within 116 h. In wet coal bed methane (CBM), the voltage of the modified cell with an independent catalyst layer exhibits a slow decrease from 0.69 V to 0.66 V within 12 h. The stable power output of the cell with an independent catalyst layer under a constant current load in methane indicates excellent coking resistance. The microstructure and surface composition of the catalyst layer and anode are further analyzed by SEM and EDX after the stability test.