Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Vol.146, No.11, 4048-4054, 1999
Wetting of Ni and NiO by alternative molten carbonate fuel cell electrolytes I. Influence of gas atmosphere
In order to compare wettability of electrode materials by alternative electrolytes fur molten carbonate fuel cells, contact angles were determined on Ni (in Hz-containing atmosphere) and on NiO (in O-2, CO2, and 0.33 O-2 + 0.67 CO2 atmospheres). The results are compared with ones obtained on Au (as reference material) in our previous study. NiO was used under two forms, as a thin layer deposited on Au by ion sputtering and as lithiated single crystal. Concerning the melt basicity influence on contact angle values, a consistent conclusion may be formulated on the basis of results obtained on Au, as well as on Ni (reducing atmosphere) and on NiO (oxygen atmosphere): wettability of these solids by Li/Na carbonate melt is worse than by other ones. Another behavior has been found under CO2-containing atmospheres which is an object of discussion. In all experiments, decreasing of contact angle values with temperature has been proved.