Direct formate fuel cells: A review

An, Le; Chen, R.

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2016.04.082

Cited by 213 publications

(204 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…In contrast,C Oa nd formate can be obtainedb yasimple 2e À reduction, which minimizes overvoltage and increases efficiency.F ormate is al iquid at room temperature and pressure, and features ah igh hydrogen-storage capacity with low toxicity, which is desirable for application in alkalinef uelcells. [10] Main-groupm etalsincluding In, Sn, Tl, Pb, and Bi have been studied for high-selectivity electrocatalytic production of formate. [11] Bi was first reported as a potentialE RC catalyst for formate synthesis twenty years ago, displaying af aradaic efficiency (FE) of 77 %.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High Selectivity Towards Formate Production by Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide at Copper–Bismuth Dendrites

Hoffman

Gray

et al. 2018

ChemSusChem

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The electrochemical reduction of CO2 provides an alternative carbon‐neutral path for renewable synthesis of fuels and value‐added chemicals. This work demonstrates that dendritic, bimetallic Cu–Bi electrocatalysts with nanometer‐sized grains are capable of formate generation with a high selectivity. Optimizing composition of electrocatalyst could achieve a faradic efficiency of 90 % at −0.8 to −0.9 VRHE, and a partial current of more than 2 mA cm−2. The combination of Cu with Bi enables modulation of the adsorption strength of intermediates. This leads to an increased selectivity and suppressed formation of spurious species, especially hydrogen and CO. Comparison of product distribution for Cu–In versus Cu–Bi indicated that Bi is essential to induce a favorable adsorption configuration of the intermediate species and to promote formate production.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High Selectivity Towards Formate Production by Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide at Copper–Bismuth Dendrites

Hoffman

Gray

et al. 2018

ChemSusChem

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“…Direct Formate Fuel Cells (DFFCs) are attractive power sources because as a fuel formate salts have specific advantages compared to alcohols like methanol and ethanol [1]. Formate salts can be easily stored, transported, and handled in their solid state and can be combined with water to form a liquid fuel solution [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving the Energy Efficiency of Direct Formate Fuel Cells with a Pd/C-CeO2 Anode Catalyst and Anion Exchange Ionomer in the Catalyst Layer

et al. 2018

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This article describes the development of a high power density Direct Formate Fuel Cell (DFFC) fed with potassium formate (KCOOH). The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) contains no platinum metal. The cathode catalyst is FeCo/C combined with a commercial anion exchange membrane (AEM). To enhance the power output and energy efficiency we have employed a nanostructured Pd/C-CeO 2 anode catalyst. The activity for the formate oxidation reaction (FOR) is enhanced when compared to a Pd/C catalyst with the same Pd loading. Fuel cell tests at 60 • C show a peak power density of almost 250 mW cm −2 . The discharge energy (14 kJ), faradic efficiency (89%) and energy efficiency (46%) were determined for a single fuel charge (30 mL of 4 M KCOOH and 4 M KOH). Energy analysis demonstrates that removal of the expensive KOH electrolyte is essential for the future development of these devices. To compensate we apply for the first time a polymeric ionomer in the catalyst layer of the anode electrode. A homopolymer is synthesized by the radical polymerization of vinyl benzene chloride followed by amination with 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO). The energy delivered, energy efficiency and fuel consumption efficiency of DFFCs fed with 4 M KCOOH are doubled with the use of the ionomer.

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“…The synergistic effects of Pd and oxophilic Ni along with the electronic structure alteration of Pd induced through alloying resulted in an effective change in its catalytic ability, leading to a 5-time enhancement in the overall current density along with a lower overpotential during formate oxidation compared to Pd/C. [12][13] As such, DFFCs currently need potential efficient and stable catalysts for widespread commer-cial applications. The structural and electrochemical analysis justifies the synergistic effects and alterations in the Pd lattice ensuing a superior enhancement of electrochemically active Pd sites.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…[8] Direct formate fuel cells (DFFCs) are also receiving immense attention due to the increased formate fuel regeneration possibilities especially those involving CO 2 . [12][13] As such, DFFCs currently need potential efficient and stable catalysts for widespread commer-cial applications. [12][13] As such, DFFCs currently need potential efficient and stable catalysts for widespread commer-cial applications.…”

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confidence: 99%

Binary Pd−Ni Nanoalloy Particles over Carbon Support with Superior Alkaline Formate Fuel Electrooxidation Performance

et al. 2019

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Formate is the one legitimate carbon-neutral fuel that has the capability of being considered an alternative to alcohol fuels amidst the growing demand for efficient fuel-cell systems. In this manuscript, we demonstrate, for the first time, a class of binary PdÀ Ni alloy nanoparticles over two different carbon supports showing exceptional enhancement of the formate oxidation reaction (FOR) performance in alkaline medium, compared to Pd/C. The synergistic effects of Pd and oxophilic Ni along with the electronic structure alteration of Pd induced through alloying resulted in an effective change in its catalytic ability, leading to a 5-time enhancement in the overall current density along with a lower overpotential during formate oxidation compared to Pd/C. The more active Pd catalytic sites of the nanoalloy helped to yield mass activities as high as 4.5 A mg À 1 Pd and 7.8 A mg À 1 Pd during FOR. The structural and electrochemical analysis justifies the synergistic effects and alterations in the Pd lattice ensuing a superior enhancement of electrochemically active Pd sites.Direct liquid fuel cells (DLFCs) are regarded as one of the energy carriers of the future due to their plentiful advantages, including high power density, ease of handling and being part of the renewable energy series. [1][2][3][4][5] With alkaline-type direct liquid fuel cells being given greater attention than acid-type fuel cells, [6][7] formate is an ideal fuel alternative to ethanol and methanol. [8] Direct formate fuel cells (DFFCs) are also receiving immense attention due to the increased formate fuel regeneration possibilities especially those involving CO 2 . [9][10][11] Formate is further advantageous in terms of its nontoxic and environmentally friendly nature. [12][13] As such, DFFCs currently need potential efficient and stable catalysts for widespread commer-cial applications. Palladium is the catalyst that has shown the most promising prospects for enhanced liquid-fuel oxidation kinetics in alkaline media and that could effectively replace platinum. [14][15][16] However, there is an imminent need for performance improvements in Pd catalysts in terms of their efficiency and durability before they can be effectively utilized in alkaline DFFCs. Previous reports suggest that the formate oxidation reaction on the Pd surface proceeds through the decomposition of COO À into CO 3 2À in alkaline medium. [17] When considering advancements in Pd-based anode catalysts for alkaline formate oxidation, transition metal alloying has been shown to increase the alcohol and formic acid/formate fuel oxidation capabilities [5,[18][19][20][21] and to the best of our knowledge, alkaline formate oxidation using Pd-transition metal alloy catalysts has seldom been studied and is largely unexplored. Alloy catalysts of Pd with Au or Cu have been reported with marginal increases in the alkaline formate oxidation performance. [22][23] PdÀ Co alloy over Vulcan carbon obtained via solid-solution processing could yield a good FOR kinetics in our recent study. [18]...

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Direct formate fuel cells: A review

Cited by 213 publications

References 64 publications

High Selectivity Towards Formate Production by Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide at Copper–Bismuth Dendrites

High Selectivity Towards Formate Production by Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide at Copper–Bismuth Dendrites

Improving the Energy Efficiency of Direct Formate Fuel Cells with a Pd/C-CeO2 Anode Catalyst and Anion Exchange Ionomer in the Catalyst Layer

Binary Pd−Ni Nanoalloy Particles over Carbon Support with Superior Alkaline Formate Fuel Electrooxidation Performance

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