A novel carbon fuel cell based on lignin, the second most abundant component after cellulose in biomass it has been examined in this study as a fuel for a direct conversion into electricity. In a fuel cell, electrolyte is a core component, which plays a key role in allowing the transport of oxide/carbonate ions from the electrolyte's interface with the air electrode to its interface with the fuel electrode. Unfortunately so far no electrolyte studies have been reported for lignin/biomass fuel cell. Therefore, a core-shell doped ceria-carbonate nanocomposite electrolyte has been developed for an intermediate temperature lignin based fuel cell. Four types of ceria-based nanocomposite electrolytes (N-SDC, LN-SDC, NK-SDC, LNK-SDC) were prepared by a co-precipitation method. It has been observed that the binary carbonate (sodium/potassium) and ternary carbonate (lithium/sodium/potassium/) on doped ceria have higher conductivity, performance and stability of the cell than single carbonate.  As a consequence, high power densities were achieved and could be compared with pure carbon solid grounded anode. In order to fully understand such carbonates combined in a carbon based lignin fuel cell the samples were characterized by ultimate analysis, thermal stability (TGA/TG/DSC), scanning and transmission electron microscope (SEM/TEM) and microstructure studies were performed by X-ray diffraction. In addiction, the fuel cell performances were examined using a computer base experimental setup and the output gases examined by a micro GC-MS.

Core-shell ceria-carbonates nanocomposite electrolyte for Lignin based fuel cell

247th National Meeting (2014)

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