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Energy efficiency of platinum-free alkaline direct formate fuel cells

Author

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  • Wang, L.Q.
  • Bellini, M.
  • Filippi, J.
  • Folliero, M.
  • Lavacchi, A.
  • Innocenti, M.
  • Marchionni, A.
  • Miller, H.A.
  • Vizza, F.

Abstract

We report the energy performance of a new platinum-free alkaline direct formate fuel cell, equipped with a commercial anion exchange membrane, a nanostructured Pd/C anode and a Fe–Co/C cathode. The cell was investigated both at room temperature and at 60°C for the determination of the following parameters: (i) maximum power density, (ii) delivered energy, (iii) faradic (fuel conversion) and energy efficiency. These parameters show a dramatic dependence on fuel composition. The highest energy efficiency is obtained using high energy density fuel (4M KCOOH and 4M KOH) and with a maximum operating temperature of 60°C. This represents a key step in the progress of alkaline platinum-free DFFC technology, demonstrating their potential as power sources for portable electronic devices and remote power generation systems. For example, a fuel load of 750ml in a DFFC device operating at 60°C would be able to produce 90Wh of energy, that required to fully charge the battery of a laptop computer.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, L.Q. & Bellini, M. & Filippi, J. & Folliero, M. & Lavacchi, A. & Innocenti, M. & Marchionni, A. & Miller, H.A. & Vizza, F., 2016. "Energy efficiency of platinum-free alkaline direct formate fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 479-487.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:175:y:2016:i:c:p:479-487
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.02.129
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wu, Q.X. & Zhao, T.S. & Chen, R. & An, L., 2013. "A sandwich structured membrane for direct methanol fuel cells operating with neat methanol," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 301-306.
    2. Zeng, L. & Tang, Z.K. & Zhao, T.S., 2014. "A high-performance alkaline exchange membrane direct formate fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 405-410.
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    2. Zhong, Kengqiang & Li, Meng & Yang, Yue & Zhang, Hongguo & Zhang, Bopeng & Tang, Jinfeng & Yan, Jia & Su, Minhua & Yang, Zhiquan, 2019. "Nitrogen-doped biochar derived from watermelon rind as oxygen reduction catalyst in air cathode microbial fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C), pages 516-525.
    3. Nandan, Ravi & Goswami, Gopal Krishna & Nanda, Karuna Kar, 2017. "Direct synthesis of Pt-free catalyst on gas diffusion layer of fuel cell and usage of high boiling point fuels for efficient utilization of waste heat," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 1050-1058.
    4. Muneeb, Omar & Do, Emily & Boyd, Desiree & Perez, Josh & Haan, John L., 2019. "PdCu/C anode catalysts for the alkaline ascorbate fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 473-479.
    5. Hamish Andrew Miller & Jacopo Ruggeri & Andrea Marchionni & Marco Bellini & Maria Vincenza Pagliaro & Carlo Bartoli & Andrea Pucci & Elisa Passaglia & Francesco Vizza, 2018. "Improving the Energy Efficiency of Direct Formate Fuel Cells with a Pd/C-CeO 2 Anode Catalyst and Anion Exchange Ionomer in the Catalyst Layer," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-12, February.

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