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Platinum‐ and Membrane‐Free Swiss‐Roll Mixed‐Reactant Alkaline Fuel Cell
Author(s) -
Aziznia Amin,
Oloman Colin W.,
Gyenge Előd L.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201300127
Subject(s) - borohydride , anode , osmium , cathode , proton exchange membrane fuel cell , chemistry , catalysis , platinum , inorganic chemistry , alkaline fuel cell , power density , direct ethanol fuel cell , chemical engineering , materials science , electrolyte , electrode , ruthenium , organic chemistry , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
Eliminating the expensive and failure‐prone proton exchange membrane (PEM) together with the platinum‐based anode and cathode catalysts would significantly reduce the high capital and operating costs of low‐temperature (<373 K) fuel cells. We recently introduced the Swiss‐roll mixed‐reactant fuel cell (SR‐MRFC) concept for borohydride–oxygen alkaline fuel cells. We now present advances in anode electrocatalysis for borohydride electrooxidation through the development of osmium nanoparticulate catalysts supported on porous monolithic carbon fiber materials (referred to as an osmium 3D anode). The borohydride–oxygen SR‐MRFC operates at 323 K and near atmospheric pressure, generating a peak power density of 1880 W m −2 in a single‐cell configuration by using an osmium‐based anode (with an osmium loading of 0.32 mg cm −2 ) and a manganese dioxide gas‐diffusion cathode. To the best of our knowledge, 1880 W m −2 is the highest power density ever reported for a mixed‐reactant fuel cell operating under similar conditions. Furthermore, the performance matches the highest reported power densities for conventional dual chamber PEM direct borohydride fuel cells.