Indirect Formic Acid Fuel Cell Based on a Palladium or Palladium‐Alloy Film Separating the Fuel Reaction and Electricity Generation

• Published in: ChemElectroChem Vol. 8; no. 2; pp. 378 - 385
• Main Authors: Madrid, Elena, Harabajiu, Catajina, Hill, Robyn S., Black, Kate, Torrente‐Murciano, Laura, Dickinson, Angus J., Fletcher, Philip J., Ozoemena, Kenneth I., Ipadeola, Adewale K., Oguzie, Emeka, Akalezi, Chris O., Marken, Frank
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim John Wiley & Sons, Inc 18.01.2021
• Subjects: biofuels; catalysis; Electricity; Electrochemical cells; Electronic devices; Formic acid; Fuel cells; Hydrogen; hydrogen economy; Hydrogen storage; Membranes; Palladium; solar fuels; Thickness; voltammetry
• ISSN: 2196-0216; 2196-0216
• DOI: 10.1002/celc.202001570

An indirect fuel cell concept is presented herein, where a palladium‐based membrane (either pure Pd with 25 μm thickness or Pd75Ag25 alloy with 10 μm thickness) is used to separate the electrochemical cell compartment from a catalysis compartment. In this system, hydrogen is generated from a hydrogen‐rich molecule, such as formic acid, and selectively permeated through the membrane into the electrochemical compartment where it is then converted into electricity. In this way, hydrogen is generated and converted in situ, overcoming the issues associated with hydrogen storage and presenting chemical hydrogen storage as an attractive and feasible alternative with potential application in future micro‐ and macro‐power devices for a wide range of applications and fuels. Divide and conquer: An indirect formic acid fuel cell allows catalytic hydrogen generation spatially separated from electricity generation with a thin palladium alloy film connecting the two compartments. Although demonstrated for formic acid, this concept could be applied to a wider range of fuels subject to catalyst performance and future development of improved thinner more robust hydrogen conducting membranes.