Electrolyte effect on the catalytic performance of Ni-based catalysts for direct internal reforming molten carbonate fuel cell

✍ Scribed by ZhenLan Li; Hary Devianto; Sung Pil Yoon; Jonghee Han; Tae-Hoon Lim; Ho-In Lee

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2010
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 444 KB
• Volume: 35
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0360-3199
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2010.04.058

✦ Synopsis

An active and tolerant Ni-based catalyst for methane steam reforming in direct internal reforming molten carbonate fuel cells (DIR-MCFCs) was developed. Deactivation of reforming catalysts by alkali metals from the electrolyte composed of Li 2 CO 3 and K 2 CO 3 is one of the major obstacles to be overcome in commercialization of DIR-MCFCs. Newly developed Ni/MgSiO 3 and Ni/Mg 2 SiO 4 reforming catalysts show activities of ca. 80% methane conversion. Subsequent to electrolyte addition to the catalyst, however, the activity of Ni/Mg 2 SiO 4 decreases to ca. 50% of its initial value, whereas Ni/MgSiO 3 catalyst retains its initial activity. Results obtained from temperature-programmed reduction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy identify unreduced Ni 3þ as a decisive factor in keeping catalytic activity from the electrolyte.