Catalyst materials and methods for reforming hydrocarbon fuels
In one embodiment, a composition for use in reforming is provided comprising a catalyst material comprising molybdenum dioxide and/or MO 2 (where M=Mo, W, Ru, Re, Os, Ir) nanoparticles having an average particle size from about 2 nm to about 1,000 nm; and a substrate, wherein both the molybdenum dioxide and/or MO 2 (where M=Mo, W, Ru, Re, Os, Ir) nanoparticles are substantially immobilized on the substrate. In another embodiment an anode for use in a fuel cell is provided comprising the forgoing composition. And in another embodiment a fuel cell is provided comprising the forgoing anode.
1. A fuel cell comprising:
a cathode;
an anode comprising molybdenum dioxide (MoO 2 ) nanoparticles, wherein the molybdenum dioxide (MoO 2 ) nanoparticles are the only anode-active and catalytically-active component present in the anode; and
an electrolyte disposed between said cathode and said anode.
2. The fuel cell of claim 1 , wherein the molybdenum dioxide nanoparticles are substantially immobilized on a matrix material.
3. The fuel cell of claim 2 , wherein the matrix material is a ceramic.
4. The fuel cell of claim 2 , wherein the matrix material includes at least one of yttrium stabilized zirconia and samarium domed ceria.
5. The fuel cell of claim 1 , wherein said molybdenum dioxide (MoO 2 ) nanoparticles have an average particle size in the range of about 1 to about 200 nanometers.
6. The fuel cell of claim 2 , wherein said molybdenum dioxide (MoO 2 ) nanoparticles have an average particle size in the range of about 1 to about 200 nanometers.
7. The fuel cell of claim 1 , wherein said molybdenum dioxide (MoO 2 ) nanoparticles have an average particle size in the range of about 200 to about 1000 nanometers.
8. The fuel cell of claim 2 , wherein said molybdenum dioxide (MoO 2 ) nanoparticles have an average particle size in the range of about 200 to about 1000 nanometers.
9. The fuel cell of claim 1 , wherein said molybdenum dioxide (MoO 2 ) nanoparticles have a surface area of at least about 10 square meters per gram.
10. The fuel cell of claim 1 , wherein said electrolyte is formed from a solid oxide.
11. The fuel cell of claim 1 , wherein the molybdenum dioxide (MoO 2 ) nanoparticles are doped with another metal.
12. The fuel cell of claim 1 , wherein the fuel cell is a solid oxide fuel cell.
13. A solid oxide fuel cell comprising:
a cathode formed from a first ceramic material;
an anode comprising molybdenum dioxide (MoO 2 ) nanoparticles, wherein the molybdenum dioxide (MoO 2 ) nanoparticles are a catalyst and have an average particle size of less than about 1000 nanometers; and
an electrolyte between said cathode and said anode, said electrolyte being formed from a second ceramic material, and
wherein the molybdenum dioxide (MoO 2 ) nanoparticles are deposited on the electrolyte.
14. A fuel cell comprising:
a cathode;
an anode comprising molybdenum dioxide (MoO 2 ) nanoparticles, wherein the molybdenum dioxide (MoO 2 ) nanoparticles are the only anode-active and catalytically-active component present in the anode;
an electrolyte disposed between said cathode and said anode; and
wherein the molybdenum dioxide (MoO 2 ) nanoparticles are doped with at least one dopant selected from the group of SiO 2 , TiO 2 , SnO 2 , CeO 2 , Co, Ni, Cu, Rh, Pd, Ag, Ir and Pd.
15. The fuel cell of claim 2 , wherein the matrix material comprises a zeolite.
16. The fuel cell of claim 13 , wherein the electrolyte comprises yttrium stabilized zirconia or samarium domed ceria.
17. The fuel cell of claim 13 , wherein said molybdenum dioxide (MoO 2 ) nanoparticles have an average particle size in the range of about 1 to about 200 nanometers.
18. The fuel cell of claim 13 , wherein said molybdenum dioxide (MoO 2 ) nanoparticles have an average particle size in the range of about 200 to about 1000 nanometers.
19. The fuel cell of claim 13 , wherein said molybdenum dioxide (MoO 2 ) nanoparticles have a surface area of at least about 10 square meters per gram.
20. The fuel cell of claim 13 , wherein the molybdenum dioxide (MoO 2 ) nanoparticles are doped with another metal.
21. A fuel cell comprising:
a cathode;
an anode consisting of molybdenum dioxide (MoO 2 ) nanoparticles; and
an electrolyte disposed between said cathode and said anode.
22. The fuel cell of claim 21 , wherein the electrolyte comprises yttrium stabilized zirconia or samarium domed ceria.
23. The fuel cell of claim 21 , wherein said molybdenum dioxide (MoO 2 ) nanoparticles have an average particle size in the range of about 1 to about 200 nanometers.
24. The fuel cell of claim 21 , wherein said molybdenum dioxide (MoO 2 ) nanoparticles have an average particle size in the range of about 200 to about 1000 nanometers.
25. The fuel cell of claim 21 , wherein said molybdenum dioxide (MoO 2 ) nanoparticles have a surface area of at least about 10 square meters per gram.