PREPARATION OF ELECTROLYTE MATRIX STRUCTURES BY AQUEOUS AND NON-AQUEOUS TAPE CASTING METHOD FOR MOLTEN CARBONATE FUEL CELLS

The fabrication of thin structures of electrolyte (Li2C03 and K2C03) and matrix y-LiAIOz) is an essential pre-requisite for the assembly and testing of molten carbonate fuel cells which operate at 923 K. The process involves making a slurry of the ceramic oxide/carbonate powders in a solvent with suitable binders and plasticizers. 80th aqueous and non-aqueous solvents were employed. The resulting lurry was cast over a glass plate making use of a doctor blade assembly. Thin tapes in the thickness range 0.25-1.0 mm were produced. The maximum size that could be obtained was 30 x 36 em. The parameters affecting their quality are discussed.