Alkali insertion within NiO/Ni electrode in contact with molten Li2CO3-K2CO3 and Li2CO3-Na2CO3-K2CO3 at 650 degrees C

Lithium, sodium and potassium species have been analysed by different spectroscopic techniques in the NiO layer recovering nickel cathode used in the state-of-the-art molten carbonate fuel cell. The nickel electrode was previously oxidized in lithium-containing carbonate electrolytes, Li2CO3-K2CO3 and Li2CO3-Na2CO3-K2CO3 at 650 degrees C. Similarly to the well-known case of lithium, it has been shown that the presence of sodium and potassium cations could be associated to their insertion in the NiO lattice.