A study on the electrochemical performance of 100-cm2 class direct carbon-molten carbonate fuel cell (DC-MCFC)

Abstract

We study the effect of various operating parameters such as temperature, molten carbonate/carbon ratio, and the type of Ni thin layer inserted between the matrix (electrolyte support) and carbon green sheet on the electrochemical performance of a 100-cm2 class direct carbon-molten carbonate fuel cell (DC-MCFC). In addition, we attempt to understand the oxidation behavior of carbon in the wet carbon anode (the composite of carbon and molten carbonates) of the DC-MCFC. We find that in the DC-MCFC, CO is produced via a two-electron transfer reaction [C(s) + CO3−2 → CO2(g) + CO(g) + 2e−] and is further oxidized with CO3−2 [CO(g) + CO3−2 → 2CO2(g) + 2e−] under closed circuit voltage conditions, indicating that CO is responsible for determining the DC-MCFC performance.