Chinese scientists have proposed an innovative strategy based on the separation of nickel atomic lattices, which has successfully addressed the carbon deposition issue in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) while achieving efficient and stable conversion of natural gas into electrical energy.

The paper was published in materials journal "Advanced Materials" by a team led by Li Zhipeng from Northwestern Polytechnical University, in collaboration with Liu Kaihui, a professor from Peking University,  and Ma Ding and Wang Enge, members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. 

The atomic lattice separation technology developed by them provides a fundamental solution to the carbon deposition bottleneck associated with the direct use of hydrocarbon fuels in SOFCs. This technology, through a unique physical separation mechanism, simultaneously achieves the following: it supplies high-purity, carbon deposition-resistant fuel to SOFCs, ensuring their long-term operational stability; converts solid carbon byproducts into high-value graphene, significantly enhancing the economic viability of the process; and demonstrates the feasibility of efficient integration with SOFC systems, possessing potential for energy recycling.