Integrated methane cracking for hydrogen production and fuel cell power generation via Ni-Sb anode in solid oxide fuel cells

Methane cracking for hydrogen production is a CO₂-free process but requires high temperatures (>1000 °C), resulting in significant energy consumption and heat loss. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), as a promising technology for energy conversion, can directly utilize methane for power generation, potentially combining methane cracking with fuel cell power generation. However, research is limited due to the challenge of carbon deposition on conventional SOFCs anodes when using dry methane. In this study, we designed a SOFC with a mixed metallic nickel and antimony anode, effectively alleviating the carbon deposition problem faced by the anodes of traditional hydrocarbon-fueled SOFCs. The design has completed the mechanistic proof-of-concept of fuel cell power generation integrated with methane cracking for hydrogen production. At 800 °C, the SOFC achieves a peak power density of 265 mW cm⁻². Hydrogen production reaches 5.108 mL_H2g_Ni^-1min⁻¹, with a hydrogen selectivity of 98 %. This study provides new insights into SOFCs operation by introducing a stepwise hydrogen production/power generation cycle.