Improved molten carbonate fuel cell performance via reinforced thin anode

The effects of anode thickness on electrochemical performance and cell voltage stability of molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) were examined using single cell test. It was found that supported thin nickel-aluminum (Ni–Al) anode with small pore size enhanced cell performance by reducing its mass transfer resistance and crossover. The stability of cell voltage was also observed. This was achieved after 0.25 mm thick anode was reinforced with Ni 60 mesh. Unsupported 0.3 mm thick anode yielded poor performance due to deformation and cracks after a long thermal exposure. The performance was improved significantly after all the anodes were reinforced with Ni mesh. ▶ Systematical study and the first attempt of thin Ni mesh reinforced anode. ▶ Improvement of mechanical strength of thin Ni mesh reinforced anode. ▶ High stability of cell voltage using thin Ni mesh reinforced anode. ▶ Significant reduction in N2 crossover using thin Ni mesh reinforced anode.