Researchers at POSTECH, led by Professor Won Bae Kim (CE), Jungseub Ha (Integrated Ph.D. candidate) have developed a technology that improves both the performance and durability of direct-ammonia solid oxide fuel cells (DA-SOFCs). The research was published on Oct. 15 in the Chemical Engineering Journal.

Solid oxide fuel cells convert chemical energy into electricity with high efficiency. However, the most common fuel, hydrogen, requires costly infrastructure for liquefaction at -253 °C or high-pressure storage. Ammonia offers a practical alternative: it is easily liquefied at room temperature, has high energy density, is inexpensive to transport, and emits no carbon dioxide because it contains no carbon.

Yet ammonia must first be rapidly decomposed on the electrode surface, and the electrode must withstand high-temperature corrosion. To solve this, the research team introduced barium and iron nanoparticles into the electrode. Barium, a strongly basic material, donates electrons to iron and promotes the breaking of nitrogen–hydrogen bonds in ammonia. And iron particles act as catalysts, accelerating ammonia decomposition and hydrogen oxidation reactions.

As a result, the modified electrode achieved a maximum power density about 25% higher than conventional electrodes. It also demonstrated stable operation for over 200 hours and achieved 100% ammonia decomposition efficiency.

Prof. Kim stated, “By combining barium incorporation with iron nanoparticle formation, we have significantly enhanced both the efficiency and lifespan of ammonia fuel cells. Given ammonia’s ease of storage and transport, this technology could serve as a key foundation for carbon-free power generation.”