Aerogel and xerogel composites for use as carbon anodes

A reinforced rigid anode monolith and fuel produced by the process comprising:

• providing a solution of organic aerogel or xerogel precursors including at least one of a phenolic resin, phenol (hydroxybenzene), resorcinol(1,3-dihydroxybenzene), or catechol(1,2-dihydroxybenzene);
• at least one aldehyde compound selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and furfuraldehyde;
• and a transition metal oxide catalyst;
• adding internal reinforcement materials selected from (1) ceramic materials;
• (2) glassy materials based on borates, phosphates, or silicates with alkaline earth or transition metal cations;
• and/or (3) carbon materials to said precursor solution to form a precursor mixture;
• gelling said precursor mixture to form a composite gel;
• drying said composite gel;
• and
• pyrolyzing said composite gel to form an aerogel/carbon composite or a xerogel/carbon composite wherein said composites comprise chars and said internal reinforcement materials, and said chars are fuel capable of being combusted in a molten salt electrochemical fuel cell in the range from 500 C to 800 C to produce electrical energy.