Effective fabrication method of rod-shaped γ-LiAlO2 particles for molten carbonate fuel cell matrices

An effective fabrication method for rod-shaped γ-LiA1O2 particles for molten carbonate fuel cell matrices via the synthesis of porous β-LiAlO2 agglomerates that are easily washed and dispersed with deionized 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 are utilized. Regardless of the kind of pore-formers used, most of the rod-shaped β-/γ-LiAlO2 particles are 1 μm in diameter and 10–15 μm long (aspect ratio of 10–15). The crystal structure of rod-shaped γ-LiAlO2 particles synthesized from the reaction mixture with pore-formers coincides exactly with that of commercial γ-LiAlO2 powders. As a consequence, cell performance using rod-shaped γ-LiAlO2 particle reinforced matrices is highly improved in comparison with non-reinforced standard matrices.