Porous-electrode preparation method

Patent · Thu Sep 17 00:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:5328729

Arons, R M; Dusek, J T

A porous sintered plaque is provided with a bimodal porosity that is especially well suited for use as an electrode within a molten carbonate fuel cell. The coarse porosity is sufficient for admitting gases into contact with the reaction surfaces while the fine porosity is wetted with and retains molten electrolyte on the reaction sites. The electrode structure is prepared by providing a very fine powder such as nickel oxide and blending the powder with a suitable decomposable binder to form a solid mass. The mass is comminuted into agglomerate size particles substantially larger than the fine oxide particles and formed into a cohesive compact for subsequent sintering. Sintering is carried out at sufficient conditions to bind the agglomerates together into a porous structure having both coarse and fine porosity. Where lithiated nickel oxide cathodes are prepared, the sintering conditions can be moderate enough to retain substantial quantities of lithium within the electrode for adequate conductivity.

• DOE Contract Number: W-31-109-ENG-38
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Application Number: ON: DE82016092
• OSTI ID: 5328729
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
ELECTRODES
FABRICATION
MOLTEN CARBONATE FUEL CELLS
BINDERS
NICKEL OXIDES
PARTICLE SIZE
POROSITY
POWDERS
SINTERED MATERIALS
SINTERING
WETTABILITY
CHALCOGENIDES
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
FUEL CELLS
HIGH-TEMPERATURE FUEL CELLS
MATERIALS
NICKEL COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SIZE
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
300503* - Fuel Cells- Materials
Components
& Auxiliaries