Nano Ni layered anode for enhanced MCFC performance at reduced operating temperature

摘要

Nanoparticles of Ni and Ni-Al_2O_3 were coated on a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) anode by spray method to enlarge the electrochemical reaction sites at triple phase boundaries (TPBs). Both nano Ni coated anode and nano Ni-Al_2O_3 anode exhibited significant reduction of anode polarization, thanks to smaller charge transfer resistance. The maximum power density of nano Ni coated anode was 159 mW cm~(-2) at current density of 300 mA cm~(-2) operating at 600 ℃. This is about 7% increase from the standard cell performance tested and compared in the study. Although low performance of nano coated Ni -Al_2O_3 cell is observed due to electrolyte consumption, the stability of cell performance during operation time is more favorable in MCFCs operation.