Effect of Ni3Al inclusion on pore structure in the porous anode for molten carbonate fuel cell

Microstructural changes in pure Ni, Ni/(4-10 wt%)Ni3Al and Ni/5 wt%Ni3Al/5 wt%Cr anodes for molten carbonate fuel cell were investigated by sintering experiment. Submicron-sized Ni3Al intermetallic particles were dispersed in nickel powders to improve mechanical strength by dispersion strengthening and to control both densification and pore structure of these anodes during sintering. The mechanical strengths of Ni/7 wt%Ni3Al and Ni/5 wt%Ni3Al/ 5 wt%Cr anodes were considerably higher than that of the pure Ni anode by strong bonding between small nickel grains. Pore volume in the anodes which included Ni3Al was considerably high by impeding nickel grain growth, because the retarding force exerted by the Ni3Al inclusion obstructed the nickel grain boundary movement. Pore structure in the anodes was maintained in a relatively stable open network in contrast with that in the pure Ni anode.