Advanced Fuel Cell Development Progress Report: April-June 1984

This report describes fuel cell research and development activities at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) during the period April through June 1984. These efforts have been directed toward seeking alternative cathode materials to NiO for molten carbonate fuel cells. Particular emphasis has been placed on studying the relationship between synthesis conditions and the resistivity of doped and undoped LiFeO/sub 2/ and Li/sub 2/MnO/sub 3/ and on achieving a better understanding of the crystalline defect structures of the thermodynamically stable phases. To this end, several experimental assemblies (including synthesis, solubility, and sintering vessels and a high-pressure thermogravimetric analyzer) have been constructed to permit 10-atm operation. In addition, data on solubility and cathode cation-LiAlO/sub 2/ interaction were taken for NiO, Li/sub 2/MnO/sub 3/, Mg-doped Li/sub 2/MnO/sub 3/, LiFeO/sub 2/, and ZnO at 1- and 10-atm pressure, and ion migration from LiFeO/sub 2/ and Li/sub 2/MnO/sub 3/ in the cell environment for 200 and 1000 h was examined. Techniques are being studied for the preparation of thin electrode and electrolyte materials by tape casting. A study to provide improved understanding of anode creep and densification occurring under fuel cell conditions is under way.