A split pH direct liquid fuel cell powered by propanol or glycerol. (1st October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chino, Isabel; Hendrix, Kimberly; Keramati, Abtin; Muneeb, Omar; Haan, John L.
• Is Part Of: Applied energy. Volume 251(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-10-01
• Subjects: Alkaline-acid fuel cell -- Alkaline fuel cell -- Cation exchange membrane -- 1-propanol -- 2-propanol; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy conservation -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.113323
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-2619

Abstract

Highlights: A split pH fuel cell produced high performance using carbon black cathode (Pt-free fuel cell). The highest maximum power density for propanol DLFC with Pt black cathode: 241 mW cm −2 . The highest maximum power density for glycerol DLFC with Pt black cathode: 275 mW cm −2 . Abstract: A split pH fuel cell was constructed using an alkaline fuel stream containing NaOH and an alcohol fuel (glycerol, 1-propanol, or 2-propanol) with an acidic oxidant stream containing H2 SO4 and 3% H2 O2 ; the electrodes were Pd black anode and Pt black or carbon black cathode separated by a cation exchange membrane with Na + substituted for H + . The split pH environment improves the thermodynamics of the fuel cell by creating a large potential difference between electrodes, and it provides improved kinetics by lowering the pH of the anode to optimum conditions for alcohol oxidation. When the fuel cell was constructed with a carbon black cathode, significant performance was observed, with maximum power density as high as 115 mW cm −2 for 1-propanol, 105 for glycerol, and 101 for 2-propanol. When the cathode was constructed with Pt black, the power densities increased as high as 275 mW cm −2 for glycerol, 241 for 1-propanol, and 228 for 2-propanol. This performance with Pt is the highest to our knowledge for these fuels in the open literature.