Energy efficiency of platinum-free alkaline direct formate fuel cells

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

Applied Energy, 2016, vol. 175, issue C, 479-487

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.

Keywords: Direct formate fuel cells; Platinum-free; Electrochemical energy conversion; Energy efficiency; Portable power sources (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.02.129

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