Influence of lanthanum oxide as quality promoter on cathodes for MCFC

A novel material based on lithium nickel mixed oxides modified by lanthanum impregnation was investigated as an alternative cathode for molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs). The electrochemical behaviour of the new cathode material was evaluated in an eutectic mixture of lithium and potassium (Li:K, 62:38) at 650 °C by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as a function of lanthanum content, immersion time and gas composition. The impedance spectra inform on electrode structural changes during the first 100 h. The loss of lithium and the low dissolution of nickel and lanthanum are responsible of these changes. Later on, the structure reaches a stable state. The lanthanum-impregnated cathodes show higher catalytic activity for oxygen reduction and lower dissolution of nickel oxide than the lanthanum-free sample. The cathode material having 0.3 wt.% of La2O3 shows the best behaviour. The loss of lithium was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and inductive coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES).