ELECTROCHEMICAL METHANE COUPLING USING PROTONIC CONDUCTORS

Coupling of methane was performed using SrCe0.95Yb0.05O3-alpha ceramic as a membrane reactor at 1173 K. The electrochemical cell used was Ag/SrCe0.95Yb0.05O3-alpha/Ag. On introducing methane and Ar into the anode and the cathode, respectively, and on passing the direct current through the cell, formation rates of C2-compounds increased from 0.23 to 0.52 mumol min-1 cm-2. From the measurement of the polarization characteristic, the partial pressure of hydrogen in the porous silver at the anode was found to be reduced by the electrochemical hydrogen pump. In addition, using a mixed conduction (protonic and p-type electronic conduction) of this ceramic, formation rates of C2-products were accelerated further.