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Solubility of the NiO fuel-cell cathode in Li/sub 2/CO/sub 3/-K/sub 2/CO/sub 3/ melts as determined by cyclic voltametry

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6456182
Observations of metallic-nickel deposits in the electrolyte of molten-carbonate fuel cells (MCFC) have prompted investigation of lithiated NiO cathode solubility. Under the current trend toward pressurized operation of the fuel-cell athode, NiO is not likely to survive the 40,000 h of operation desired for commercial cells. Therefore, a major effort in MCFC development is to improve cathode stability, including a search for alternative materials. This paper focuses on the use of cyclic voltametry in molten salts to evaluate solubility of cathode materials. In this study, cyclic voltametry (CV) is used to quantify Ni/sup 2 +/ concentration arising from NiO solubility by NiO + CO/sub 2/ reversible Ni/sup 2 +/ + CO/sub 3//sup 2 -/ for the temperature range 823 to 1023/sup 0/K and also for electrolyte compositions deviating from the conventional 62 mol % Li/sub 2/CO/sub 3/ - 38 mol % K/sub 2/CO/sub 3/. Cyclic voltametry provides a responsive method for these analyses and holds promise for screening other materials.
Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
6456182
Report Number(s):
CONF-830508-13; ON: DE83009460
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English