Transport properties in molten carbonates: self-diffusion and conductivity measurements at high temperature

A better understanding and use of molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs) requires more detailed consideration on transport properties in melt. The combination of different methodological developments can be one solution to improve our comprehension. Here we present 23Na and 7Li self-diffusion coefficients measured by pulsed field gradient (PFG) NMR technique combined with electrical conductivity obtained by a 4-electrode set up, in the eutectic mixture Li2CO3–Na2CO3 (52:48 %mol) at high temperature (up to 1050 K), and under pure CO2 atmosphere. The results were compared with known experimental data from literature obtained by radiotracers techniques and 2-electrode set up and also with some calculations of the transport properties.