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Improving the Energy Efficiency of Direct Formate Fuel Cells with a Pd/C-CeO 2 Anode Catalyst and Anion Exchange Ionomer in the Catalyst Layer

Author

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  • Hamish Andrew Miller

    (Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organometallici (CNR-ICCOM), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy)

  • Jacopo Ruggeri

    (Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organometallici (CNR-ICCOM), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy
    Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy)

  • Andrea Marchionni

    (Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organometallici (CNR-ICCOM), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy)

  • Marco Bellini

    (Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organometallici (CNR-ICCOM), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy)

  • Maria Vincenza Pagliaro

    (Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organometallici (CNR-ICCOM), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy)

  • Carlo Bartoli

    (Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organometallici (CNR-ICCOM), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy)

  • Andrea Pucci

    (Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy)

  • Elisa Passaglia

    (Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organometallici (CNR-ICCOM), Area della Ricerca, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy)

  • Francesco Vizza

    (Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organometallici (CNR-ICCOM), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy)

Abstract

This article describes the development of a high power density Direct Formate Fuel Cell (DFFC) fed with potassium formate (KCOOH). The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) contains no platinum metal. The cathode catalyst is FeCo/C combined with a commercial anion exchange membrane (AEM). To enhance the power output and energy efficiency we have employed a nanostructured Pd/C-CeO 2 anode catalyst. The activity for the formate oxidation reaction (FOR) is enhanced when compared to a Pd/C catalyst with the same Pd loading. Fuel cell tests at 60 °C show a peak power density of almost 250 mW cm −2 . The discharge energy (14 kJ), faradic efficiency (89%) and energy efficiency (46%) were determined for a single fuel charge (30 mL of 4 M KCOOH and 4 M KOH). Energy analysis demonstrates that removal of the expensive KOH electrolyte is essential for the future development of these devices. To compensate we apply for the first time a polymeric ionomer in the catalyst layer of the anode electrode. A homopolymer is synthesized by the radical polymerization of vinyl benzene chloride followed by amination with 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO). The energy delivered, energy efficiency and fuel consumption efficiency of DFFCs fed with 4 M KCOOH are doubled with the use of the ionomer.

Suggested Citation

  • Hamish Andrew Miller & Jacopo Ruggeri & Andrea Marchionni & Marco Bellini & Maria Vincenza Pagliaro & Carlo Bartoli & Andrea Pucci & Elisa Passaglia & Francesco Vizza, 2018. "Improving the Energy Efficiency of Direct Formate Fuel Cells with a Pd/C-CeO 2 Anode Catalyst and Anion Exchange Ionomer in the Catalyst Layer," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-12, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:2:p:369-:d:130218
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chambers, Christopher P. & Miller, Alan D., "undated". "Inefficiency," Working Papers WP2011/14, University of Haifa, Department of Economics, revised 30 Nov 2011.
    2. Y. X. Chen & A. Lavacchi & H. A. Miller & M. Bevilacqua & J. Filippi & M. Innocenti & A. Marchionni & W. Oberhauser & L. Wang & F. Vizza, 2014. "Nanotechnology makes biomass electrolysis more energy efficient than water electrolysis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-6, September.
    3. Zeng, L. & Tang, Z.K. & Zhao, T.S., 2014. "A high-performance alkaline exchange membrane direct formate fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 405-410.
    4. Wang, L.Q. & Bellini, M. & Filippi, J. & Folliero, M. & Lavacchi, A. & Innocenti, M. & Marchionni, A. & Miller, H.A. & Vizza, F., 2016. "Energy efficiency of platinum-free alkaline direct formate fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 479-487.
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