Fuelcell Energy, Inc.

Exxonmobil Technology and Engineering Company

Ethan L Demeter

Abdelkader Hilmi

Gabor Kiss

Chao-yi Yuh

Timothy C Geary

Rodrigo F Blanco Gutierrez

A layered cathode structure for a molten carbonate fuel cell is provided, along with methods of forming a layered cathode and operating a fuel cell including a layered cathode. The layered cathode can include at least a first cathode layer and a second cathode layer. The first cathode layer can correspond to a layer that is adjacent to the molten carbonate electrolyte during operation, while the second cathode layer can correspond to a layer that is adjacent to the cathode collector of the fuel cell. The first cathode layer can be formed by sintering a layer that includes a conventional precursor material for forming a cathode, such as nickel particles. The second cathode layer can be formed by sintering a layer that includes a mixture of particles of a conventional precursor material and 1.0 vol % to 30 vol % of particles of a lithium pore-forming compound. The resulting layered cathode structure can have an increased pore size adjacent to the cathode collector to facilitate diffusion of COinto the electrolyte interface, while also having a smaller pore size adjacent to the electrolyte to allow for improved electrical contact and/or reduced polarization at the interface between the electrolyte and the cathode.

Layered cathode for molten carbonate fuel cell

A molten carbonate fuel cell assembly includes a cathode electrode; an anode electrode; an electrolyte matrix disposed between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode; a cathode current collector abutting the cathode electrode; and a first electrolyte composition stored in the cathode electrode, the first electrolyte composition comprising a first mixture of a eutectic Li/Na carbonate electrolyte doped with one or more additive materials, wherein the one or more additive materials comprise one or more of SrO, BaCO, BaO, SrCO, and combinations thereof.

High-performance electrolyte for molten carbonate fuel cell

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Spring, TX, United States of America

Ethan L Demeter