393Fuel Cell Components and Design
atmosphere. This allows many metals to be used as electrocatalyst for hydro-
gen oxidation. Nickel, cobalt, and copper can be used in the form of pow-
dered alloys and composites with oxides. Because of the porous structure
of these materials, creep and sintering are concerns under the compressive
force applied to seal the cell structure. Many materials and additives have
been studied to produce stability in the anode with respect to creep and
sintering. For example, chromium and aluminum can be added to the anode,
forming dispersed oxides, decreasing the amount of creep and sintering,
and allowing for longer stable operation of MCFC stacks. Little contribution
other than this has been applied to the anode materia ...