The stability of molten carbonate fuel cell electrodes: A review of recent improvements

The electrode stability is a key issue for the development of conventional hydrogen fuelled and direct internal reforming (DIR) molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs). While for conventional MCFC anodes the stability problem has been addressed by the addition of Al or Cr to Ni, the problems of the dissolution of the NiO cathode and of the deactivation of DIR-MCFC anodes have not been fully resolved too. This review reports recent improvements in the chemical and physicochemical stability of cathode and anode materials in MCFCs and DIR-MCFCs, respectively.

► Methods to increase the stability of NiO cathodes for molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs).
► Addition of La2O3 to the electrolyte or to the cathode reduces NiO dissolution.
► Supported DIR-MCFCs Ni anodes with high resistance to alkali poisoning.
► Ag-promoted Ni/Al2O3 seems the most promising DIR-MCFC anode.