Electrode configurations study for alkaline direct ethanol fuel cells

Original scientific paper

Authors

  • Michaela Roschger Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 25/C, 8010 Graz, Austria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6638-7987
  • Sigrid Wolf Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 25/C, 8010 Graz, Austria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6571-5512
  • Andreas Billiani Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 25/C, 8010 Graz, Austria https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2840-1575
  • Selestina Gorgieva Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2180-1603
  • Boštjan Genorio Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0714-3472
  • Viktor Hacker Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 25/C, 8010 Graz, Austria https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5956-7579

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5599/jese.1623

Keywords:

Membrane electrode assembly, fuel cell, single cell tests, polarization curve
Graphical Abstract

Abstract

The direct electrochemical conversion of ethanol, a sustainable fuel, is an alternative sustainable technology of the future. In this study, membrane electrode assemblies with different electrode configurations for an alkaline direct ethanol fuel cell were fabricated and tested in a fuel cell device. The configurations include a catalyst-coated substrate (CCS), a catalyst-coated membrane (CCM), and a mixture of these two fabrication options. Two different anion exchange membranes were used to perform a comprehensive analysis. The fabricated CCSs and CCMs were characterized with single cell measurements, electro­chemical impedance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, the swelling behavior of the membranes in alkaline solution was investigated in order to obtain information for CCM production. The results of the experimental electrochemical tests show that the CCS approach provides higher power densities (42.4 mW cm-2) than the others, regardless of the membrane type.

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References

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Published

28-03-2023 — Updated on 28-03-2023

How to Cite

Roschger, M., Wolf, S., Billiani, A., Gorgieva, S., Genorio, B., & Hacker, V. (2023). Electrode configurations study for alkaline direct ethanol fuel cells: Original scientific paper. Journal of Electrochemical Science and Engineering, 13(5), 783–793. https://doi.org/10.5599/jese.1623

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 5 (2023)

Section

8th RSE SEE & 9th Kurt Schwabe symposium Special Issue

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