Catalytic and electrochemical properties of doped lanthanum chromites as new anode materials for solid oxide fuel cells

Defective perovskites contained in the general formula La-(Sr)Cr(Ru,Mn)O3-d elta are successfully synthesized by spray pyrolysis. Powders of high phase purity are obtained after annealing, and they are used to prepare homogene ous films by spray printing. From a catalytic point of view for the methane steam reforming, these powdered perovskites do not generate a carbon depos it. Catalytic results, focused on doped ruthenium perovskites, confirm that the insertion of ruthenium in the structure of the lanthanum chromite pres ents a real benefit for the methane steam reforming. The electrochemical pr operties of La(Sr)CrO3-delta, either pure and doped with manganese, show th at the perovskite films can be potential electrodes, depending on their dop ing, for hydrogen anodic oxidation in solid oxide fuel cells.