Evaluating Performance of Metal-Organic Complexes as Electrodes in Hydrogen Peroxide Fuel Cells

Faraz Alderson, Raveen Appuhamy and Stephen Andrew Gadsden ()
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Faraz Alderson: Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
Raveen Appuhamy: Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
Stephen Andrew Gadsden: Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 10, 1-18

Abstract: With increasing energy demands, fuel cells are a popular avenue for portability and low waste emissions. Hydrogen fuel cells are popular due to their potential output power and clean waste. However, due to storage and transport concerns, hydrogen peroxide fuel cells are a promising alternative. Although they have a lower output potential compared to hydrogen fuel cells, peroxide can act as both the oxidizing and reducing agent, simplifying the structure of the cell. In addition to reducing the complexity, hydrogen peroxide is stable in liquid form and can be stored in less demanding methods. This paper investigates chelated metals as electrode material for hydrogen peroxide fuel cells. Chelated metal complexes are ring-like structures that form from binding organic or inorganic compounds with metal ions. They are used in medical imaging, water treatment, and as catalysts for reactions. Copper(II) phthalocyanine, phthalocyanine green, poly(copper phthalocyanine), bis(ethylenediamine)copper(II) hydroxide, iron(III) ferrocyanine, graphene oxide decorated with Fe 3 O 4 , zinc phthalocyanine, magnesium phthalocyanine, manganese(II) phthalocyanine, cobalt(II) phthalocyanine are investigated as electrode materials for peroxide fuel cells. In this study, the performance of these materials is evaluated using cyclic voltammetry. The voltammograms are compared, as well as observations are made during the materials’ use to measure their effectiveness as electrode material. There has been limited research comparing the use of these chelated metals in the context of hydrogen peroxide fuel cells. Through this research, the goal is to further the viability of hydrogen peroxide fuel cells. Poly(copper phthalocyanine) and graphene oxide doped with iron oxides had strong redox catalytic activity for use in acidic peroxide single-compartment fuel cells, where the poly(copper phthalocyanine) electrode compound generated the highest peak power density of 7.92 mW/cm 2 and cell output potential of 0.634 V.

Keywords: hydrogen peroxide fuel cells; chelated metal electrodes; alternative energy; fuel cells (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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