Multilayered TiO2/Ni/Ag cathode for efficient and long lifetime high temperature fuel cells

This work introduces a multilayer TiO₂/Ni/Ag cathode engineered to simultaneously suppress nickel dissolution and significantly enhance the electrochemical efficiency of molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs). The cathode architecture is built on a tape-cast catalytic layer supported by nickel foam, providing a robust and highly conductive backbone. The TiO₂ layer was selectively applied to the electrolyte-facing side of the cathode, while a thin, 300 nm silver film was sputtered onto the interconnector side to boost electronic transport. To directly address one of the most critical degradation mechanisms in MCFCs, a dedicated experimental protocol was developed to quantify nickel solubility in the molten electrolyte under realistic operating conditions. Single-cell tests incorporating various cathode configurations were performed at 650°C under different gas flow rates.