A new candidate cathode material as (Co/Mg)-coated Ni powder for molten carbonate fuel cell

Co/Mg solid solution coated Ni powder, where Mg-doped LiCoO2 is coated on NiO in molten carbonate, has been used as a new cathode material to reduce the solubility of NiO and to maintain the advantages of NiO cathode. The (Co/Mg)-coated NiO cathode was prepared by a coating Co/Mg solid solution on the surface of the Ni powder using a PVA assisted sol-gel method. The phase changes of the (Co/Mg)-coated Ni powder after immersed into Li/K eutectic carbonate mixtures at 550 °C ∼ 850 °C for 48 h was performed by XRD and Raman. SEM was used to study the particle morphologies. Co/Mg solid solution was coated on the surface of the Ni powder and Li(NiCoMg)O2 is formed on NiO in molten carbonate. It is expected that the Li(NiCoMg)O2 phase will reduce the solubility of NiO cathode in molten carbonate.