Investigation of ceria-molten carbonate electrolyte, composite anode and its catalytical effect on various carbon fuels in molten carbonate direct coal/carbon fuel cell

•Composite anode of MC-DCFC achieved the highest power density of 203 mW/cm2 at 600 °C.•Ohmic resistance is reduced by 15–56.5% in Ceria-MC electrolyte as compared to MC-electrolyte.•Smaller graphite particle sizes have better electrochemical performance.•The ceria additive at molten carbonate electrolyte exhibits a core–shell structure, leading to enhanced ionic transportation.