This report summarizes the results of a year-long program evaluating the application of solid nickel foils as hydrogen-permeable barriers to contaminants (H/sub 2/S, HCl, NH/sub 3/) in molten carbonate fuel cells. A parametric study was conducted using 2.5 to 7.5 ..mu..m thick nickel foils in both laboratory-scale and bench-scale fuel cell tests. Two design configurations were evaluated, one in which the foil was placed adjacent to the electrolyte matrix and one in which the foil was placed between two porous metal plaques. In both cases the foil served as a barrier for contaminants. Post-test analysis of electrolyte matrices indicated that both configurations retarded or prevented contaminants from reaching the electrolyte. However, problems were encountered with the first configuration in that gaseous products built up on the electrolyte side of the anode, substantially increasing cell polarization. The second configuration performed significantly better than the first, delivering a performance nearly equal to that of a standard porous metal anode structure. However, the flux of hydrogen crossing the foil in this configuration proved to be sensitive to sulfur contaminants in the fuel. As a consequence, a reduction in current density at constant cell voltage was observed when H/sub 2/S was present in the fuel, despite the fact that no H/sub 2/S reached the three-phase region where electrode, fuel, and electrolyte meet. This behavior, however, may be overcome by using a foil other than pure nickel. 36 refs., 30 figs., 22 tabs.