Recent advances in electrocatalysts, mechanism, and cell architecture for direct formic acid fuel cells

• Published in: Wiley interdisciplinary reviews. Energy and environment Vol. 11; no. 2; pp. e419 - n/a
• Main Authors: Bhaskaran, Rashmi, Abraham, Bincy George, Chetty, Raghuram
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA Wiley Periodicals, Inc 01.03.2022; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Catalysts; direct formic acid fuel cells; electrocatalyst; Electrocatalysts; Formic acid; formic acid oxidation; fuel cell architecture; Fuel cells; Fuel technology; Liquid fuels; Medical research; Methanol; Morphology; Noble metals; Portable equipment; Power management; Power sources; Transition metals
• ISSN: 2041-8396; 2041-840X
• DOI: 10.1002/wene.419

Direct formic acid fuel cells (DFAFCs) are potential candidates as power sources for various applications, especially in portable electronics and medical diagnostic devices. Though they have been the subject of considerable research, commercial prototypes of DFAFCs are rudimentary compared to other liquid fuel cells, particularly the widespread methanol‐based direct methanol fuel cells. Various strategies for rationally engineering the electrocatalysts for enhancing DFAFC performance have been explored in the last few years, such as alloying noble metals with earth‐abundant transition metals, designing specific morphological and structural arrangements, decorating the surface with corrosion‐tolerant cocatalysts, and providing better catalyst support for effective catalyst dispersion. An overall approach may be necessary and should include (i) understanding the underlying mechanism, which will guide the direction of catalyst engineering, (ii) employing morphological, compositional, and structural control of the electrocatalysts to improve catalyst utilization and enhance the intrinsic activity for real‐world applications, and (iii) integrating these in a proficiently designed cell architecture suitable for targeted applications. In this review, we focus on the recent advances in electrocatalysts, formic acid electrooxidation mechanisms, and DFAFC cell architectures, which could help address the opportunities and challenges of commercializing DFAFC as a prospective alternative power source for portable applications. This article is categorized under: Fuel Cells and Hydrogen > Science and Materials Energy Research & Innovation > Science and Materials A good understanding of the formic acid electrooxidation mechanism is beneficial in the rational engineering of anode catalysts to employ them in an effective cell architecture to commercialize direct formic acid fuel cells in portable applications.