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Developments in direct borohydride fuel cells and remaining challenges

Developments in direct borohydride fuel cells and remaining challenges
Developments in direct borohydride fuel cells and remaining challenges
Over the last twenty years, there has been a resurgent research interest in direct borohydride fuel cells (DBFCs) highlighting the fundamental aspects that need to be addressed to achieve their optimal performance. The main problem is the hydrolysis of borohydride ions, which generates hydrogen, decreases the energy efficiency and reduces the power density. The electrons released during borohydride oxidation, the cell potential difference and the power output are strongly influenced by the choice of anode and cathode, including three-dimensional and nanostructured electrodes, the electrolyte composition and the operating conditions. Extensive investigations on various anodic electrocatalysts and their effect on the oxidation and hydrolysis have been quantified as well as the cathode catalyst and its influence on the overall fuel cell performance. Computational methods such as ab-initio and physical modelling could play prominent roles in the design and fundamental characterisation of DBFCs but are currently underused and only small number of studies in well-defined materials such as Pt (111) or Au (111) exist. Cell design and configuration have also been considered but the basic requirement to engineer a selective catalyst able to suppress the hydrogen evolution and the elucidation of the mechanism of borohydride ion oxidation, remain.
direct borhydride fuel cells, hydrolysis inhibition, mathematical modelling, membranes, surfactants, recycling
0378-7753
339-357
Merino-Jimenez, I.
257882c9-4369-457e-ab30-f2d4d044a261
Ponce de Leon, Carlos
508a312e-75ff-4bcb-9151-dacc424d755c
Shah, A.A.
5c43ac37-c4a7-4256-88ef-8c427886b924
Walsh, F.C.
309528e7-062e-439b-af40-9309bc91efb2
Merino-Jimenez, I.
257882c9-4369-457e-ab30-f2d4d044a261
Ponce de Leon, Carlos
508a312e-75ff-4bcb-9151-dacc424d755c
Shah, A.A.
5c43ac37-c4a7-4256-88ef-8c427886b924
Walsh, F.C.
309528e7-062e-439b-af40-9309bc91efb2

Merino-Jimenez, I., Ponce de Leon, Carlos, Shah, A.A. and Walsh, F.C. (2012) Developments in direct borohydride fuel cells and remaining challenges. Journal of Power Sources, 219, 339-357. (doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2012.06.091).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Over the last twenty years, there has been a resurgent research interest in direct borohydride fuel cells (DBFCs) highlighting the fundamental aspects that need to be addressed to achieve their optimal performance. The main problem is the hydrolysis of borohydride ions, which generates hydrogen, decreases the energy efficiency and reduces the power density. The electrons released during borohydride oxidation, the cell potential difference and the power output are strongly influenced by the choice of anode and cathode, including three-dimensional and nanostructured electrodes, the electrolyte composition and the operating conditions. Extensive investigations on various anodic electrocatalysts and their effect on the oxidation and hydrolysis have been quantified as well as the cathode catalyst and its influence on the overall fuel cell performance. Computational methods such as ab-initio and physical modelling could play prominent roles in the design and fundamental characterisation of DBFCs but are currently underused and only small number of studies in well-defined materials such as Pt (111) or Au (111) exist. Cell design and configuration have also been considered but the basic requirement to engineer a selective catalyst able to suppress the hydrogen evolution and the elucidation of the mechanism of borohydride ion oxidation, remain.

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More information

Published date: 1 December 2012
Keywords: direct borhydride fuel cells, hydrolysis inhibition, mathematical modelling, membranes, surfactants, recycling
Organisations: Engineering Science Unit

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 348254
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/348254
ISSN: 0378-7753
PURE UUID: 3622cb1b-177a-43c0-b147-c4d7e4ef2989
ORCID for Carlos Ponce de Leon: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-1907-5913

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 11 Feb 2013 11:21
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:22

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Contributors

Author: I. Merino-Jimenez
Author: A.A. Shah
Author: F.C. Walsh

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