A sort of core-shell catalyst as a novel anti-alkali-poisoning concept was prepared, tested and applied in the direct internal reforming molten carbonate fuel cell (DIR-MCFC). Results showed that the core-shell catalyst possessed good alkali-poisoning resistance capacity, which was explained well by the micropore model of the catalyst. And the cell performance could keep above 0.75V during 100 h test. When the steam carbon ratio was 2 (S/C = 2) and the current density was 150 mA cm(-2), the cell potential varied from 0.826 to 0.751 V and the voltage fluctuant phenomenon was explained specifically. Furthermore, the short stack (three cells) was also assembled, and the maximum output power density of the short stack was 338.4 mW cm(-2). The above results indicated that the core-shell catalyst could be applied into the DIR-MCFC successfully. Copyright (C) 2011, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.