A Sodium‐Ion‐Conducting Direct Formate Fuel Cell: Generating Electricity and Producing Base. Issue 21 (24th March 2017) - Li, Yinshi
Abstract: A barrier that limits the development of the conventional cation‐exchange membrane direct liquid fuel cells (CEM‐DLFCs) is that the CEM‐DLFCs need additional base to offer both alkaline environment and charge carriers. Herein, we propose a Na + ‐conducting direct formate fuel cell (Na‐DFFC) that is operated in the absence of added base. A proof‐of‐concept Na‐DFFC yields a peak power density of 33 mW cm −2 at 60 °C, mainly because the hydrolysis of sodium formate provides enough OH − and Na + ions, proving the conceptual feasibility. Moreover, contrary to the conventional chlor‐alkali process, this Na‐DFFC enables to generate electricity and produce NaOH simultaneously without polluting the environment. The Na‐DFFC runs stably during 13 hours of continuous operation at a constant current of 10 mA, along with a theoretical production of 195 mg NaOH. This work presents a new type of electrochemical conversion device that possesses a wide range of potential applications. Abstract : Electrochemical energy conversion : A Na + ‐conducting direct formate fuel cell (Na‐DFFC) was successfully developed and operated without adding OH − and Na + ions. Contrary to the conventional chlor‐alkali process, the Na‐DFFC enables to generate electricity and produce base simultaneously without polluting the environment.