Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2025

Author Spotlight: Design and Evaluation of Au-Electroplated Carbon Fiber Cloth Electrodes for Hydrogen Peroxide Fuel Cells
Published on: October 20, 2023
Bipolar Membranes for Direct Borohydride Fuel Cells-A Review
Ines Belhaj1, Mónica Faria1, Biljana Šljukić1
1Center of Physics and Engineering of Advanced Materials, Laboratory for Physics of Materials and Emerging Technologies, Chemical Engineering Department, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal.
Direct liquid fuel cells (DLFCs) offer advantages for mobile applications. Bipolar membranes (BPMs) are crucial for direct borohydride-hydrogen peroxide fuel cells (DBPFCs), enhancing performance by managing pH gradients.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Direct liquid fuel cells (DLFCs) offer higher energy densities and easier fuel handling than hydrogen fuel cells.
- Direct borohydride-hydrogen peroxide fuel cells (DBPFCs) are promising DLFCs due to their high theoretical cell voltage.
Purpose of the Study:
- This review examines membrane types for borohydride fuel cells.
- It emphasizes the critical role of bipolar membranes (BPMs) in DBPFCs.
Main Methods:
- The review analyzes the structure and function of BPMs in DBPFCs.
- It discusses how BPMs maintain pH gradients between the fuel and oxidant electrolytes.
Main Results:
- Bipolar membranes (BPMs), combining cation-exchange membranes (CEMs) and anion-exchange membranes (AEMs), are ideal for DBPFCs.
- BPMs effectively prevent species crossover, crucial for DBPFC operation.
Conclusions:
- Bipolar membranes (BPMs) are vital for optimizing direct borohydride-hydrogen peroxide fuel cell (DBPFC) performance.
- Further research is needed to fully realize the potential of BPMs in DBPFC technology.
Related Concept Videos
Batteries and Fuel Cells
Hydroboration-Oxidation of Alkenes
Alcohols from Carbonyl Compounds: Reduction
Catalytic hydrogenation is similar to the reduction of an alkene or alkyne by adding H2 across the pi bond in the presence of transition metal catalysts like Raney Ni, Pd–C, Pt, or Ru. Aldehydes and ketones can be reduced by this method, often under mild to moderate heat (25–100°C) and...
Alkynes to Aldehydes and Ketones: Hydroboration-Oxidation
One of the convenient methods for the preparation of aldehydes and ketones is via hydration of alkynes. Hydroboration-oxidation of alkynes is an indirect hydration reaction in which an alkyne is treated with borane followed by oxidation with alkaline peroxide to form an enol that rapidly converts into an aldehyde or a ketone. Terminal alkynes form aldehydes, whereas internal alkynes give ketones as the final product.

