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Formate: an Energy Storage and Transport Bridge between Carbon Dioxide and a Formate Fuel Cell in a Single Device
Author(s) -
Vo Tracy,
Purohit Krutarth,
Nguyen Christopher,
Biggs Brenna,
Mayoral Salvador,
Haan John L.
Publication year - 2015
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.201500958
Subject(s) - formate , electrochemistry , carbonate , chemistry , inorganic chemistry , carbon dioxide , energy storage , carbon fibers , chemical engineering , materials science , electrode , organic chemistry , catalysis , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , composite number , engineering , composite material
Abstract We demonstrate the first device to our knowledge that uses a solar panel to power the electrochemical reduction of dissolved carbon dioxide (carbonate) into formate that is then used in the same device to operate a direct formate fuel cell (DFFC). The electrochemical reduction of carbonate is carried out on a Sn electrode in a reservoir that maintains a constant carbon balance between carbonate and formate. The electron‐rich formate species is converted by the DFFC into electrical energy through electron release. The product of DFFC operation is the electron‐deficient carbonate species that diffuses back to the reservoir bulk. It is possible to continuously charge the device using alternative energy (e.g., solar) to convert carbonate to formate for on‐demand use in the DFFC; the intermittent nature of alternative energy makes this an attractive design. In this work, we demonstrate a proof‐of‐concept device that performs reduction of carbonate, storage of formate, and operation of a DFFC.