Characterization of new cathode materials for molten carbonate fuel cells

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5445525

Brown, A P; Smith, J L; Kucera, G H

The in-cell performance is reported for molten carbonate fuel cell cathodes fabricated from fibrous agglomerates of LiFeO{sub 2}. Both 25 cm{sup 2} full-cell tests with an Ni-Cr anode and half-cell tests with a gold reference electrode are described. Cathode materials tested were undoped LiFeO{sub 2} and LiFeO{sub 2} doped with Cu, Co, or Mn. Parameters varied included the electrode pore structure and the size of the particles forming the agglomerates. These tests demonstrated that the LiFeO{sub 2} cathodes are morphologically and chemically stable; these cathodes do not suffer from the dissolution/reprecipitation problem that limits the long-term performance of conventional NiO cathodes. The LiFeO{sub 2} cathodes, however, have not yet achieved state-of-the-art performance. They currently have an electron-transfer-limited reaction rate and a high iR drop. Methods are discussed for improving the cathode performance by, for example, modifying the electrode structure to reduce the porosity. 8 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/FE
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5445525
• Report Number(s): CONF-891113-9; ON: DE90003547
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300502 -- Fuel Cells-- Performance & Testing
300503* -- Fuel Cells-- Materials
Components
& Auxiliaries
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
CATHODES
CHALCOGENIDES
COBALT
COPPER
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DOPED MATERIALS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
ELEMENTS
FABRICATION
FUEL CELLS
HIGH-TEMPERATURE FUEL CELLS
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON OXIDES
LITHIUM COMPOUNDS
LITHIUM OXIDES
MANGANESE
MATERIALS
METALS
MOLTEN CARBONATE FUEL CELLS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
POROSITY
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS