IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v11y2018i9p2316-d167374.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Boosting the Power-Generation Performance of Micro-Sized Al-H 2 O 2 Fuel Cells by Using Silver Nanowires as the Cathode

Author

Listed:
  • Heng Zhang

    (Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Micro/Nano Systems for Aerospace, School of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China)

  • Yang Yang

    (Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Micro/Nano Systems for Aerospace, School of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
    Unmanned System Research Institute, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China)

  • Tianyu Liu

    (Department of Chemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA)

  • Honglong Chang

    (Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Micro/Nano Systems for Aerospace, School of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
    Unmanned System Research Institute, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China)

Abstract

Micro-sized fuel cells represent one of the pollution-free devices available to power portable electronics. However, the insufficient power output limits the possibility of micro-sized fuel cells competing with other power sources, including supercapacitors and lithium batteries. In this study, a novel aluminum-hydrogen peroxide fuel cell is fabricated using uniform silver nanowires with diameters of 0.25 µm as the catalyst at the cathode side. The Ag nanowire solution is prepared via a polyol method, and mixed uniformly with Nafion and ethanol to enhance the adhesion of Ag nanowires. We carry out electrochemical tests, including cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Tafel polarization, to characterize the performance of this catalyst in H 2 O 2 reduction. The Ag nanowires exhibit a high effectiveness and durability while catalyzing the reduction of H 2 O 2 with a low impedance. The micro-sized Al-H 2 O 2 fuel cell equipped with Ag nanowires delivers a power density of 43 W·m −2 under a low concentration of H 2 O 2 (0.1 M), which is substantially higher than the previously reported devices.

Suggested Citation

  • Heng Zhang & Yang Yang & Tianyu Liu & Honglong Chang, 2018. "Boosting the Power-Generation Performance of Micro-Sized Al-H 2 O 2 Fuel Cells by Using Silver Nanowires as the Cathode," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-10, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:9:p:2316-:d:167374
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/11/9/2316/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/11/9/2316/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mark K. Debe, 2012. "Electrocatalyst approaches and challenges for automotive fuel cells," Nature, Nature, vol. 486(7401), pages 43-51, June.
    2. Alejandro Mendez & Teresa J. Leo & Miguel A. Herreros, 2014. "Current State of Technology of Fuel Cell Power Systems for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 7(7), pages 1-18, July.
    3. D.S. Falcão & R.A. Silva & C.M. Rangel & A.M.F.R. Pinto, 2017. "Performance of an Active Micro Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Using Reduced Catalyst Loading MEAs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-9, October.
    4. Shingjiang Jessie Lue & Nai-Yuan Liu & Selvaraj Rajesh Kumar & Kevin Chi-Yang Tseng & Bo-Yan Wang & Chieh-Hsin Leung, 2017. "Experimental and One-Dimensional Mathematical Modeling of Different Operating Parameters in Direct Formic Acid Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-14, November.
    5. Surbhi Sharma & Kun Zhang & Gaurav Gupta & Daniel G. Santamaria, 2017. "Exploring PANI-TiN Nanoparticle Coatings in a PEFC Environment: Enhancing Corrosion Resistance and Conductivity of Stainless Steel Bipolar Plates," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-13, August.
    6. Sajjad Bahrebar & Frede Blaabjerg & Huai Wang & Navid Vafamand & Mohammad-Hassan Khooban & Sima Rastayesh & Dao Zhou, 2018. "A Novel Type-2 Fuzzy Logic for Improved Risk Analysis of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells in Marine Power Systems Application," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-16, March.
    7. Brodrecht, David J. & Rusek, John J., 2003. "Aluminum-hydrogen peroxide fuel-cell studies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 74(1-2), pages 113-124, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Petros Katsoufis & Maria Katsaiti & Christos Mourelas & Tatiana Santos Andrade & Vassilios Dracopoulos & Constantin Politis & George Avgouropoulos & Panagiotis Lianos, 2020. "Study of a Thin Film Aluminum-Air Battery," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-9, March.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Lin, Rui & Zhong, Di & Lan, Shunbo & Guo, Rong & Ma, Yunyang & Cai, Xin, 2021. "Experimental validation for enhancement of PEMFC cold start performance: Based on the optimization of micro porous layer," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 300(C).
    2. Chen, Dongfang & Pan, Lyuming & Pei, Pucheng & Huang, Shangwei & Ren, Peng & Song, Xin, 2021. "Carbon-coated oxygen vacancies-rich Co3O4 nanoarrays grow on nickel foam as efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for rechargeable zinc-air batteries," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
    3. Jung, Chi-Young & Yi, Jae-You & Yi, Sung-Chul, 2014. "On the role of the silica-containing catalyst layer for proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 794-800.
    4. Huang, Chung-Neng & Chen, Yui-Sung, 2017. "Design of magnetic flywheel control for performance improvement of fuel cells used in vehicles," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 840-852.
    5. Wang, Qing & Han, Ning & Bokhari, Awais & Li, Xue & Cao, Yue & Asif, Saira & Shen, Zhengfeng & Si, Weimeng & Wang, Fagang & Klemeš, Jiří Jaromír & Zhao, Xiaolin, 2022. "Insights into MXenes-based electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    6. Ryu, Kyunghyun & Zacharakis-Jutz, George E. & Kong, Song-Charng, 2014. "Effects of gaseous ammonia direct injection on performance characteristics of a spark-ignition engine," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 206-215.
    7. Pei, Pucheng & Wu, Ziyao & Li, Yuehua & Jia, Xiaoning & Chen, Dongfang & Huang, Shangwei, 2018. "Improved methods to measure hydrogen crossover current in proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(C), pages 338-347.
    8. Faria, Lourenço Galvão Diniz & Andersen, Maj Munch, 2017. "Sectoral patterns versus firm-level heterogeneity - The dynamics of eco-innovation strategies in the automotive sector," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 266-281.
    9. Mohammad Hassan Khooban & Navid Vafamand & Jalil Boudjadar, 2019. "Tracking Control for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Systems in Zero-Emission Ferry Ships," Complexity, Hindawi, vol. 2019, pages 1-9, November.
    10. Liu, Jing & Mi, Liwei & Xing, Yanan & Wang, Tianfu & Wang, Fu, 2020. "Construction of Ti3C2 supported hybrid Co3O4/NCNTs composite as an efficient oxygen reduction electrocatalyst," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 1168-1173.
    11. Xia, Zhangxun & Sun, Ruili & Jing, Fenning & Wang, Suli & Sun, Hai & Sun, Gongquan, 2018. "Modeling and optimization of Scaffold-like macroporous electrodes for highly efficient direct methanol fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C), pages 239-248.
    12. Chongfei Sun & Zirong Luo & Jianzhong Shang & Zhongyue Lu & Yiming Zhu & Guoheng Wu, 2018. "Design and Numerical Analysis of a Novel Counter-Rotating Self-Adaptable Wave Energy Converter Based on CFD Technology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-21, March.
    13. Li, Yanju & Li, Dongxu & Ma, Zheshu & Zheng, Meng & Lu, Zhanghao & Song, Hanlin & Guo, Xinjia & Shao, Wei, 2022. "Performance analysis and optimization of a novel vehicular power system based on HT-PEMFC integrated methanol steam reforming and ORC," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).
    14. Roman Niestrój & Tomasz Rogala & Wojciech Skarka, 2020. "An Energy Consumption Model for Designing an AGV Energy Storage System with a PEMFC Stack," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-31, July.
    15. Iqbal, Jamshed & Khan, Zeashan Hameed, 2017. "The potential role of renewable energy sources in robot's power system: A case study of Pakistan," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 106-122.
    16. Li, Yong & Song, Jian & Yang, Jie, 2015. "Graphene models and nano-scale characterization technologies for fuel cell vehicle electrodes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 66-77.
    17. Li, Xiang & Tang, Fumin & Wang, Qianqian & Li, Bing & Dai, Haifeng & Chang, Guofeng & Zhang, Cunman & Ming, Pingwen, 2023. "Effect of cathode catalyst layer on proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance: Considering the spatially variable distribution," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 644-654.
    18. Seung-Kyo Jung & Won-Sim Cha & Yeong-In Park & Shin-Hyung Kim & Jungho Choi, 2020. "Conceptual Design Development of a Fuel-Reforming System for Fuel Cells in Underwater Vehicles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-15, April.
    19. Fu-Cheng Wang & Kuang-Ming Lin, 2018. "Impacts of Load Profiles on the Optimization of Power Management of a Green Building Employing Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-16, December.
    20. Zhang, Ruiyuan & Min, Ting & Chen, Li & Li, Hailong & Yan, Jinyue & Tao, Wen-Quan, 2022. "Pore-scale study of effects of relative humidity on reactive transport processes in catalyst layers in PEMFC," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:9:p:2316-:d:167374. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.