Preparation and characterization of cathode catalysts for molten carbonate fuel cells

Abstract

Three different methods were adopted to prepare the lithiated nickel oxide cathodes for Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC). In the first method Ni electrodes with desired porosity were prepared and oxidized and lithiated inside the cell (in situ method). Loose powder sintering, slurry casting and tape casting methods were followed to prepare the electrodes. In

the second method, out of cell oxidation and lithiation of nickel powder was carried out by mixing nickel powder with lithium carbonate followed by oxidation in air at 650°C (ex-situ method) and then formed into the electrodes. In the third method, the pre-lithiated nickel catalyst was formed into an electrode by tape casting technique and the electrodes were

subjected to in cell or out of cell oxidation and sintering. The physico-chemical characteri zation of the catalyst and the electrodes were obtained by XRD and mercury porosimetry respectively. The performance of the electrodes was evaluated in single cell MCFC with 45 cm² area electrodes at 650°C.