AN EVALUATION OF A STABILIZED NIO CATHODE FOR THE REDUCTION OF NIO DISSOLUTION IN MOLTEN-CARBONATE FUEL-CELLS

A stabilized NiO cathode was proposed and evaluated for the reduction of NiO dissolution in molten carbonate fuel cells. The NiO cathode was stabilized by the addition of alkaline earth oxide to the cathode. Th e solubilities of NiO and stabilized NiO in alkali metal carbonate (62 Li(2)CO(3)-38K(2)CO(3)) were measured as a function of temperature, pC O(2) and pO(2). The MgO content in the stabilized NiO cathode was opti mized with respect to its solubility. Half-cell and single-cell tests were also performed to evaluate the electrochemical performance of sta bilized NiO cathode. In a long-run operation of single cell tests with a 10% MgO-stabilized cathode, a significant reduction of Ni precipita tion was obtained.