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An improved alkaline direct formate paper microfluidic fuel cell
Author(s) -
Galvan Vicente,
Domalaon Kryls,
Tang Catherine,
Sotez Samantha,
Mendez Alex,
JalaliHeravi Mehdi,
Purohit Krutarth,
Pham Linda,
Haan John,
Gomez Frank A.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
electrophoresis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.666
H-Index - 158
eISSN - 1522-2683
pISSN - 0173-0835
DOI - 10.1002/elps.201500360
Subject(s) - microfluidics , formate , alkaline fuel cell , chemistry , chemical engineering , materials science , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , engineering , ion exchange , ion , catalysis
Paper‐based microfluidic fuel cells (MFCs) are a potential replacement for traditional FCs and batteries due to their low cost, portability, and simplicity to operate. In MFCs, separate solutions of fuel and oxidant migrate through paper due to capillary action and laminar flow and, upon contact with each other and catalyst, produce electricity. In the present work, we describe an improved microfluidic paper‐based direct formate FC (DFFC) employing formate and hydrogen peroxide as the anode fuel and cathode oxidant, respectively. The dimensions of the lateral column, current collectors, and cathode were optimized. A maximum power density of 2.53 mW/cm 2 was achieved with a DFFC of surface area 3.0 cm 2 , steel mesh as current collector, 5% carbon to paint mass ratio for cathode electrode and, 30% hydrogen peroxide. The longevity of the MFC's detailed herein is greater than eight hours with continuous flow of streams. In a series configuration, the MFCs generate sufficient energy to power light‐emitting diodes and a handheld calculator.