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Performance Evaluation of a Platinum‐Free Microscale Alkaline Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell Operating for Long Periods
Author(s) -
Miller Hamish A.,
Wang Lianqin,
Bellini Marco,
Filippi Jonathan,
Marchionni Andrea,
Folliero Maria G.,
Lavacchi Alessandro,
Pagliaro Maria V.,
Vizza Francesco
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
energy technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.91
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 2194-4296
pISSN - 2194-4288
DOI - 10.1002/ente.201600143
Subject(s) - anode , cathode , direct ethanol fuel cell , electrochemistry , microscale chemistry , catalysis , power density , platinum , materials science , chemical engineering , proton exchange membrane fuel cell , ethanol fuel , chemistry , inorganic chemistry , ethanol , electrode , power (physics) , biochemistry , mathematics education , mathematics , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , engineering
Abstract Direct fuel cells such as those fed with ethanol (DEFCs) that employ anion exchange membranes can use non‐platinum catalysts, which greatly reduces their system costs. In this study, we describe a passive air‐breathing monoplanar alkaline DEFC equipped with a nanostructured carbon‐supported anode (Pd) and cathode (FeCo) electrocatalysts. This DEFC was able to supply up to 30 mW cm −2 of peak electrical power density and was able to provide an almost constant amount of power at 1 mA cm −2 load for 3 months at room temperature. After such long periods of functioning at constant load, no degradation (physical or electrochemical) of the Pd‐based anode catalyst was observed.