Kabin Kim BAE JAE KWAN Audasso, Emilio Cho, Albert Won Jun Young Bae Park, Hyun Seo JANG, SEONG CHEOL Cho, Yong Soo Kim, Han Sung Choi, Sun Hee Yoon, Sung Pil 2024-01-12T06:32:47Z 2024-01-12T06:32:47Z 2023-11-16 2023-11 1385-8947 https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/79766 Molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs) offer several advantages in energy applications, but their lifetime is limited especially by electrolyte depletion. In this study, a novel in situ method for replenishing the electrolyte in MCFCs by injecting gaseous electrolyte precursors (EP) that form liquid electrolyte through reactions with CO2/O2 gases or ions is introduced. The selection of EP species (LiI, NaI, and KOH) are guided by thermodynamic considerations including high vapour pressures and conversion rates to Li/K or Li/Na carbonates. The proposed approach addresses two electrolytic depletion stages: consumption of the electrolyte in the electrode (Stage 1) and in the matrix pores (Stage 2). Atmospheric-pressure electrochemical vapour deposition (AP-EVD) and atmospheric-pressure chemical vapour deposition (AP-CVD) are demonstrated to replenish electrolyte in the electrode and matrix pores, respectively. The applied techniques sustained a cell with a low (Li/Na)2CO3 electrolyte level for long-term operation (>1,000 h) while maintaining stable performance (>0.8 V at 150 mA cm？2). The method also returned an inactive cell to its normal operating conditions (OCV: 1.054 V, : 0.61 Ω cm2, (Li/K)2CO3 electrolyte). These results promise enhanced durability of MCFCs and render them much more viable for use in energy applications. English Elsevier BV In situ electrolyte replenishment with atmospheric pressure-chemical/electrochemical vapour deposition for molten carbonate fuel cells Article 10.1016/j.cej.2023.146663 1 Chemical Engineering Journal, v.476 Chemical Engineering Journal 476 N scie scopus 001110877400001 Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering Article NICKEL-ALUMINUM ALLOY LONG-TERM OPERATION PART I PERFORMANCE TEMPERATURE CORROSION STABILITY ANODE NANOPARTICLES COMPOSITE Molten carbonate fuel cell Electrochemical vapour deposition Chemical vapour deposition Electrolyte replenishment