Sintering characteristics of a porous Ni/Ni3Al anode for molten carbonate fuel cells

Studies of sintering behaviour and microstructural pore evolution during sintering of pure Ni particle — and Ni/(4–10 wt.%)Ni3Al intermetallics — green sheets for the molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) anode are conducted. The pore structure in the Ni/Ni3Al anode can be maintained as an open pore network by restraining the initial stage of sintering. Ni3Al intermetallics inserted on nickel grain boundaries act as a barrier, which inhibits nickel grain boundary diffusion and controls both densification and nickel grain growth. Pores in the pure nickel anode become smaller than those in the Ni/Ni3Al anode by an intermediate stage of sintering which results in densification and nickel grain growth.