Direct oxidation alkaline fuel cells: from materials to systems

Yu, Eileen Hao, Wang, Xu, Krewer, Ulrike, Li, Lei and Scott, Keith (2012) Direct oxidation alkaline fuel cells: from materials to systems. Energy and Environmental Science, 5 (2), 5668-5680. (doi:10.1039/c2ee02552c).

Abstract

Direct oxidation alkaline fuel cells (DOAFCs) possess particular advantages on the possibility of employing low cost non-noble metal catalysts. A wide range of fuels can be used due to superior reaction kinetics in alkaline media. The development of DOAFCs was hindered by the carbonation of electrolyte due to the presence of CO ₂. The application of the anion exchange membrane (AEM) provides the possibility of reducing the effect of carbonation and fuel crossover which is an issue in the proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The latest developments in alkaline fuel cells are examined in this paper, considering different types of fuels, novel catalysts and anion exchange membranes. Moreover, alkaline fuel cell systems and configurations are studied, particularly the new designs for portable or microelectronic devices. Further development of DOAFCs will rely on novel AEMs with good ionic conductivity and stability, low cost non-Pt catalysts with high activity and good stability for various fuels and oxidant. We envisage that DOAFCs will play a major role in energy research and applications in the near future.

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Contributors

Author: Eileen Hao Yu

Author: Lei Li

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