Recent Developments of Semi-fuel Cells for Powering Underwater Sensors and Platforms

Abstract

This paper studies two novel galvanic cells and postulates their use in underwater power applications. One couples Aluminum to sodium peroxide (Al-Na2O2) and the other to a chlorinated halamine (Al-C3N3Cl3O3). Experimental results show that the chemistries are indeed capable of providing good specific energies. The results from small cells showed an specific energy (SE) of 200 Wh/kg, (~ 300 Wh/kg, if the packaging is not considered) for the Al-halamine cell. The SE of Al-alkali perox¬ide was found to be approximately 230 Wh/kg (460 Wh/kg, considering only active materials). Interestingly, latest results indicate that it is possible to increase the current of a given cell by using high surface area electrodes. Results using high surface area, porous, foam-like materials are estimated and show promising results their use in semi-fuel cell schemes (SE on the order of 0.5 kWh/Kg).

Recent Progress and Future Trends of Aluminum Batteries

“…Soon after, the Buff cell that firstly employed Al metal as anode coupled with a carbon cathode was constructed in 1857. [97] During the following years, several Albased primary battery systems, such as Al/H 2 O 2 , [98] Al/ AgO, [99] Al/S, [100] Al/MnO 2 , [101][102][103] Al/NiOOH, [104] Al/FeCN, [105] Al/C 3 N 3 Cl 3 O 3 and Al/Na 2 O 2 [106] have been developed, but unfortunately the protective oxide layer on Al surface causes an potential increasing, leading to a much lower output voltage comparing to the theoretical value. [97] During the following years, several Albased primary battery systems, such as Al/H 2 O 2 , [98] Al/ AgO, [99] Al/S, [100] Al/MnO 2 , [101][102][103] Al/NiOOH, [104] Al/FeCN, [105] Al/C 3 N 3 Cl 3 O 3 and Al/Na 2 O 2 [106] have been developed, but unfortunately the protective oxide layer on Al surface causes an potential increasing, leading to a much lower output voltage comparing to the theoretical value.…”

Tetrabutylammonium Fluoride as the Electrolyte in Aluminum Cells

“…Later in 1950, aluminum was used as anode in a Leclanche type dry cell . Thereafter, several primary aluminum systems have been investigated such as Al/MnO 2 , Al/AgO, Al/H 2 O 2 , Al/S, Al/FeCN, Al/NiOOH, Al/Na 2 O 2 and Al/C 3 N 3 Cl 3 O 3 , but unfortunately, the passive oxide layer on the aluminum surface causes a sharp decrease in the electrode potential leading to a much lower working voltage with respect to the theoretical one. Meanwhile, due to the existence of water, the aqueous alkali electrolyte would lead to high aluminum corrosion as well as hydrogen evolution, and the addition of inhibitor would results in the formation of a passive oxide film and consequent voltage decay.…”