A spiral shaped regenerative microfluidic fuel cell with Ni‐C based porous electrodes

Abstract

Summary Microchannel geometry, electrode surface area, and better fuel utilization are important aspects of the performance of a microfluidic fuel cell (MFC). In this communication, a membraneless spiral‐shaped MFC fabricated with Ni as anode and C as a cathode supported over a porous filter paper substrate is presented. Vanadium oxychloride and dilute sulfuric acid solutions are used as fuel and electrolyte, respectively, in this fuel cell system. The device generates a maximum open‐circuit voltage of ~1.2 V, while the maximum energy density and current density generated from the fuel cell are ~10 mW cm−2 and ~51 mA cm−2, respectively. The cumulative energy density generated from the device after five cycles are measured as ~200 mW after regeneration of the fuel by applying external voltage. The spiral design of the fuel cell enables improved fuel utilization, rapid diffusive transport of ions, and in‐situ regeneration of the fuel. The present self‐standing spiral‐shaped MFC will eliminate the challenges associated with two inlet membrane‐less fuel cells and has the potential to scale up for commercial application in portable energy generation.

Flow Configurations of Membraneless Microfluidic Fuel Cells: A Review

“…The maximum power density generated was comparable with that of a previous device [134]. Arun et al [136] developed a vanadium-based spiral-shaped SSMMFC using a carbon cathode and Ni anode with a fuel-electrolyte mixture of VOCl 3 and diluted H 2 SO 4 , as shown in Figure 7b. The spiral-shaped microchannel was built on a 1.5-mm-thick PMMA sheet with a laser engraving machine.…”

Microfluidics for Electrochemical Energy Conversion

“…A resourceful alternative approach to reduce the noble metal content is the synthesis of core–shell catalysts, in which a less costly non-noble metal core is coated with a metal shell with higher electrocatalytic activity. In this regard, other catalyst materials for μFCs have been reported including gold, copper, cobalt, silver, iridium, iron, and nickel. ,,,,,− While this approach may result in more rigorous catalyst synthesis processes, it may also be a way of reducing the electrocatalyst cost without compromising the electrocatalytic activity . For the ORR at the cathode, Pt has also been typically applied and shown higher activity than Pd.…”

Advances in microfluidic electrochemical fuel cells in recent years

“…Experimental data revealed that the cell stacks were simpler, and performance was guaranteed. Ravi Kumar Arun introduced a spiral-shaped MFEFC with an anode made of Ni and a cathode made of C. 90 This cell was very effective in improving fuel utilization and eliminating crossover of fuel and electrolytes. Experimental data revealed that the spiral-shaped design enhanced fuel utilization and faster transport of ions.…”