Abstract
An effective fabrication method of rod-shaped γ-LiAlO2 particles for molten carbonate fuel cell matrices via the synthesis of porous β-LiAlO2 agglomerates that are easily washed and dispersed with DI-water has been investigated. In order to make large pores and high porosity in the reaction mixture, powder types of carbon and ammonium carbonate that make little ash and undesired material during the whole process were utilized. Regardless of the kind of pore-formers used, most of the rod-shaped β-/γ-LiAlO2 particles were 1 μm in diameter and 10 to 15 μm long (aspect ratio of 10 ~ 15). The crystal structure of rod-shaped γ-LiAlO2 particles synthesized from the reaction mixture with pore-formers coincided exactly with that of commercial γ-LiAlO2 powders, and showed a type of single crystal. As a consequence, cell performances using rod-shaped γ-LiAlO2 particle reinforced matrices were highly improved in comparison with non-reinforced standard matrices.
