Chemical Poisoning of Ni/MgO Catalyst by Alkali Carbonate Vapor in the Steam Reforming Reaction of DIR-MCFC

Chemical poisoning of Ni/MgO catalyst was induced by hot alkali carbonate vapor in molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC), and the poisoned (or contaminated) catalyst was characterized by TPR/TPO, FTIR, and XRD analysis. Carbonate electrolytes such as K and Li were transferred to the catalyst during DIR-MCFC operation at 650 ℃. The deposition of alkali species on the catalyst consequently led to physical blocking on catalytic active sites and structural deformation by chemical poisoning. TPR/TPO analysis indicated that K species enhanced the reducibility of NiO thin film over Ni as co-catalyst, and Li species lessened the reducibility of metallic Ni by chemical reaction with MgO. FTIR analysis of the poisoned catalyst did not exhibit the characteristic peaks (1055 for pure crystalline carbonates, instead a new peak (1120 was observed proportionally with deformed alkali carbonates. From XRD analysis, the oxidation of metallic Ni into was confirmed by the peak shift of MgO with shrinking of Ni particles. Conclusively, hot alkali species induced both chemical poisoning and physical deposition on Ni/MgO catalyst in DIR-MCFC at 650 ℃.