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Hydroxide Self-Feeding High-Temperature Alkaline Direct Formate Fuel Cells
Yinshi Li1, Xianda Sun1, Ying Feng1
1Key Laboratory of Thermo-Fluid Science and Engineering of MOE, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 28 Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, P. R. China.
Chemsuschem
|March 16, 2017
Summary
This study introduces a high-temperature alkaline direct formate fuel cell (DFFC) using a polybenzimidazole membrane. It achieves high power density without added hydroxide, overcoming key challenges in alkaline fuel cell development.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- High-temperature alkaline direct liquid fuel cells face challenges with membrane degradation and hydroxide requirements.
- Developing stable and efficient anion-exchange membranes is crucial for fuel cell performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address thermal degradation and hydroxide limitations in high-temperature alkaline direct liquid fuel cells.
- To report a polybenzimidazole-membrane-based direct formate fuel cell (DFFC) as a solution.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a polybenzimidazole membrane for high-temperature operation.
- Investigated a direct formate fuel cell (DFFC) architecture without external hydroxide addition.
Main Results:
- Achieved a peak power density of 20.9 mW cm⁻² in an alkaline DFFC at 90°C.
- Demonstrated stable 100-minute constant-current discharge, proving conceptual feasibility.
- Formate hydrolysis self-supplied sufficient hydroxide ions for the oxidation reaction.
Conclusions:
- The developed hydroxide self-feeding DFFC overcomes critical limitations of conventional alkaline fuel cells.
- Polybenzimidazole-based DFFCs show significant potential for high-temperature, efficient energy conversion.
