Influence of aluminum salt addition on in situ sintering of electrolyte matrices for molten carbonate fuel cells

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 101; no. 1; pp. 90 - 95
• Main Authors: Lee, Insung, Kim, Wonsun, Moon, Youngjoon, Lim, Heechun, Lee, Dokyol
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 01.10.2001; Elsevier Sequoia
• Subjects: Aluminum salt; Applied sciences; Electrolyte matrix; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; In situ sintering; Molten carbonate fuel cell; Pre-milling; Aluminum salt; In situ sintering; Pre-milling; Electrolyte matrix; Molten carbonate fuel cell; Pore size; Grain growth; Organic salt; Aluminium compound; Molten carbonate fuel cells; Liquid phase sintering; Fused salt electrolyte; Strength
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/S0378-7753(01)00626-7

Three aluminum salts are investigated as a sintering aid for the in situ sintering of electrolyte matrices for molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs). Only aluminum acetylacetonate shows a potential. At or above 420°C, aluminum acetylacetonate changes to Al 2O 3 and reacts with Li 2CO 3 in the electrolyte to produce γ-LiAlO 2. This reaction product forms necks between matrix particles. Necks grow with increasing sintering time and correspondingly, the mechanical strength of the electrolyte matrix shows an abrupt increase, starting at a sintering time of about 100 h until it levels off at about 250 h. The porosity of the matrices fabricated with aluminum acetylacetonate is in the range acceptable for use in MCFCs.