Abstract:A key component in the molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) is electrolyte matrix, which provides both ionic conduction and gas sealing. The aim of this work is to investigate the effects of selected operating conditions on the performance of the matrix preparation. Slurries were prepared to produce matrices by the technique of tape casting. The characteristics of the slurries and matrices were examined by laser particle size analyzer, scanning electron microscopy, and BET surface area analyzer. The testing resul… Show more
“…[1][2][3] The durability and performance of MCFCs is significantly influenced by the employed molten carbonate electrolytes, which result in different degrees of NiO dissolution, anode creep, and mechanical strength of the matrix in the fuel cells. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10] The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) that occurs at the MCFC cathode often limits the fuel cell performance, since the ORR kinetics are relatively slower than that of the hydrogen oxidation reaction at the anode. The ORR performance of cathode is also significantly affected by the physicochemical properties of the electrolyte, such as the electrical conductivity, oxygen solubility, and solution wettability.…”
Electrolyte properties are significantly important for the long-term stability and performance of molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs). The Li/Na carbonate is considered an attractive electrolyte for MCFCs due to its high ionic conductivity and low volatility. However, low oxygen solubility is a serious drawback in Li/Na carbonate electrolytes, which hinders the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the MCFC cathode. Several additives have been found to enhance the oxygen solubility in alkali carbonate electrolytes. In this study, the effect of Cs2CO3 in Li/Na and Li/K carbonate mixtures was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The oxygen reduction activity improved with the increasing Cs concentration (1, 3, and 5 mol%) in all the studied carbonate melts. The addition of Cs2CO3 (5 mol%) to the Li/Na carbonate (68.0/32.0) resulted in an approximately 30% increase of the mass transfer parameter (C0D0) of the dissolved oxygen species from 0.99 × 10−9 to 1.29 × 10−9 mol/cm2 s1/2 at 620°C. The changes in the ionic conductivity of the molten electrolytes with the Cs additive were also studied.
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