: In an alkaline direct liquid fuel cell, alcohols require a combination of fuel and potassium hydroxide in the fuel stream.  We have found that the electrochemical oxidation rate of alcohols is highly pH dependent with a maximum near pH 14, which is why the hydroxide is needed in the fuel stream for optimum performance.  However, the electrochemical oxidation rate of formate is not pH dependent, so we have found that the formate fuel cell can achieve a maximum power density of 105 mW cm-2 in the absence of added hydroxide.  This makes formate a promising fuel for broad, safe utilization of alkaline DLFCs for efficient energy conversion.  We will report on recent progress in conversion of formate to energy on tuned, palladium-based catalysts as well as improvements to design of the direct formate fuel cell aimed at reduction in cost and improvement in efficiency.

Conversion of formate to energy in the alkaline direct formate fuel cell

247th National Meeting (2014)

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