A robust single compartment peroxide fuel cell using mesoporous antimony doped tin oxide as the cathode material

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Metal oxide catalysts are underexplored for hydrogen peroxide fuel cells due to H2O2 disproportionation.
• Previous research has not focused on single-compartment acidic peroxide fuel cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate antimony doped tin oxide as a cathode material for single-compartment hydrogen peroxide fuel cells.
• To evaluate the performance and stability of a fuel cell using this novel cathode.
• To explore methods for enhancing fuel cell performance.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a single-compartment acidic peroxide fuel cell with antimony doped tin oxide cathode and nickel foam anode.
• Electrochemical characterization including open circuit potential and power density measurements.
• Optimization of electrolyte ionic strength by adding NaCl.

Main Results:

• The developed peroxide fuel cell achieved an open circuit potential of 0.82 V and a power density of 0.32 mW cm-2.
• High operational stability was observed for the fuel cell.
• Increasing electrolyte ionic strength with 1 M NaCl boosted the maximum power density to 1.1 mW cm-2.

Conclusions:

• Antimony doped tin oxide is a promising cathode material for hydrogen peroxide fuel cells.
• Single-compartment acidic peroxide fuel cells can achieve competitive performance.
• Electrolyte modification offers a viable strategy for enhancing fuel cell efficiency.