Formic acid fuel cell

The formic acid fuel cell ( FAFC of English: Formic acid fuel cell) is a fuel cell is used in the formic acid as a fuel. As the electrolyte, as in the DMFC, a proton-conducting membrane is used ( for example Nafion ). Because of their low power density, it is mainly suitable for use in small electronic devices such as mobile phones.

Differences from other fuel cells

Formic acid fuel cells convert the current output of formic acid and oxygen into carbon dioxide and water. In earlier studies, formic acid has been excluded as a useful fuel because they showed in experiments with conventional catalysts, such as platinum, high electrochemical overvoltage, which meant a low power density and long life.

In recent years, researchers (especially Richard Masels group from the University of Illinois at Urbana -Champaign ), however, found that the poor performance was due to the use of catalysts of platinum, which are currently used in most conventional fuel cells. If, instead of palladium used, can achieve performance in excess of which is still a direct methanol fuel cell.

Other approaches seek ruthenium with a ligand as catalyst. With a ruthenium -phosphine or diphosphine catalyst ( RuCl2 (PPh3 ) 2), in 2008 by researchers from Rostock for the first time nearly 100% yields are achieved, with an efficiency which was approximately three times higher than it previously with a such material has been reached. The energy carrier is liquid formic acid.

Credentials

• Fuel cell