A new candidate cathode material as (Co/Mg)-coated Ni powder for molten carbonate fuel cell

Co/Mg solid solution coated Ni powder, where Mg-doped LiCoO₂ is coated on NiO in molten carbonate, has been used as a new cathode material to reduce the solubility of NiO and to maintain the advantages of NiO cathode. The (Co/Mg)-coated NiO cathode was prepared by a coating Co/Mg solid solution on the surface of the Ni powder using a PVA assisted sol-gel method. The phase changes of the (Co/Mg)-coated Ni powder after immersed into Li/K eutectic carbonate mixtures at 550 °C ∼ 850 °C for 48 h was performed by XRD and Raman. SEM was used to study the particle morphologies. Co/Mg solid solution was coated on the surface of the Ni powder and Li(NiCoMg)O₂ is formed on NiO in molten carbonate. It is expected that the Li(NiCoMg)O₂ phase will reduce the solubility of NiO cathode in molten carbonate.