TECHNOLOGICAL STATUS OF NICKEL-OXIDE CATHODES IN MOLTEN CARBONATE FUEL-CELLS - A REVIEW

The technological status of NiO cathodes in molten carbonate fuel cells is examined in terms of four properties: electrode conductivity, electrode kinetics, electrode structure, and electrode material stability. Several problems must be solved before the cathode can meet the requirements for commercial applications of fuel cells. The major problem is the instability of NiO over long-term operations, other concerns are the compaction of the cathode structure during cell operation and the lack of definite information on the electrode kinetics. This paper critically examines efforts by industry (especially in the U. S. ) and other investigators in addressing those problems.