Electrolyte matrix for molten carbonate fuel cells
AssigneeEnergy Research Corporation
InventorsChao M. Huang, Chao-Yi Yuh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A matrix for a carbonate electrolyte including a support material and an additive constituent having a relatively low melting temperature and a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion. The additive constituent is from 3 to 45 weight percent of the matrix and is formed from raw particles whose diameter is in a range of 0.1 .mu.m to 20 .mu.m and whose aspect ratio is in a range of 1 to 50. High energy intensive milling is used to mix the support material and additive constituent during matrix formation. Also disclosed is the use of a further additive constituent comprising an alkaline earth containing material. The further additive is mixed with the support material using high energy intensive milling.
Claims29
A matrix for carrying a carbonate electrolyte comprising a support material and an additive constituent having a low melting point and high thermal coefficient of expansion, said additive constituent being present in the amount of 3 to 45 volume percent of said matrix and having been formed from raw particles whose diameter is in a range of 0.1 .mu.m to 20 .mu.m and whose aspect ratio is in the range of 1 to 50, said additive material having been formed from one or more of raw particles of Al, raw particles of Li.sub.2 CO.sub.3 and raw particles of Li-containing precursors.
A fuel cell comprising:
- an anode section;
- a cathode section;
- an electrolyte matrix sandwiched between said anode section and said cathode section, said electrolyte matrix comprising:
- a support material and an additive constituent having a low melting point and high thermal coefficient of expansion, said additive constituent being present in the amount of 3 to 45 volume percent of said matrix and having been formed from raw particles whose diameter is in a range of 0.1 .mu.m to 20 .mu.m and whose aspect ratio is in the range of 1 to 50, said additive material having been formed from one or more of raw particles of Al, raw particles of Li.sub.2 CO.sub.3 and raw particles of Li-containing precursors.
A method of making a matrix for carrying a carbonate electrolyte comprising:
- providing a support material;
- providing an additive constituent having a low melting point and a high thermal coefficient of expansion, said additive constituent being formed of particles whose diameter is in the range of 0.1 .mu.m to 20 .mu.m and whose aspect ratio is in the range of 1 to 50;
- mixing said support material and additive constituent including intensive milling of said support material and, thereafter, adding said additive constituent to said support material and intensive milling of said additive material and said support material to form a mixture;
- and;
- forming said mixture into a coherent member to provide said matrix.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.