Characterization of a high performing passive direct formic acid fuel cell

• Published in: Journal of power sources 2006-07, Vol.158 (1), p.129-136
• Main Authors: Ha, S., Dunbar, Z., Masel, R.I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Direct formic acid fuel cell; Portable power; Reference electrode
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2005.09.048

Small fuel cells are considered likely replacements for batteries in portable power applications. In this paper, the performance of a passive air breathing direct formic acid fuel cell (DFAFC) at room temperature is reported. The passive fuel cell, with a palladium anode catalyst, produces an excellent cell performance at 30 °C. It produced a high open cell potential of 0.9 V with ambient air. It produced current densities of 139 and 336 mA cm −2 at 0.72 and 0.53 V, respectively. Its maximum power density was 177 mW cm −2 at 0.53 V. Our passive air breathing fuel cell runs successfully with formic acid concentration up to 10 and 12 M with little degradation in performance. In this paper, its constant voltage test at 0.72 V is also demonstrated using 10 M formic acid. Additionally, a reference electrode was used to determine distinct anode and cathode electrode performances for our passive air breathing DFAFC.