Characterization and performance analysis of silicon carbide electrolyte matrix of phosphoric acid fuel cell prepared by ball-milling method

The effect of ball milling in making a silicon carbide slurry for the electrolyte matrix of a phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) was studied by measuring the zeta potential and the particle-size distribution, and by analyzing cell performance. The ball-milled slurry gives a better particle distribution than the conventional mechanical-stirring method, and the particle distribution of the slurry depends on balling time and pH, which is confirmed by zeta potential. A single cell with a ball-milled electrolyte matrix also displays high performance. It is concluded that the ball-milling method is preferable to the mechanical-stirring procedure for preparing silicon carbide slurries. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.