Degradation of Indigo Carmine in Alkaline Dye-Mediated Direct Carbohydrate Fuel Cell

Abstract

Indigo-carmine-mediated direct alkaline fuel cells have demonstrated superior power outputs over their non-mediated counterparts. Currently, the mechanism of mediation and stability of mediators are poorly understood. Upon exposure to highly alkaline solutions, we observed that the redox action of indigo carmine diminished, and significant currents were produced, indicating substantial degradation of the dye. The decomposition of indigo carmine at high pH and a poor thermal stability suggest that alternative mediators with low toxicity may be required to enable the widespread application of this device type.

Achieving ultralong directional liquid transportation spontaneously with a high velocity

“…This is because a sodium hydroxide solution becomes yellow in a strong alkaline solution. 57 The above results show that the sodium hydroxide solution can be easily identied using the four-reservoir channel. Furthermore, a single drop with a volume of 25 mL can be transported over a distance of 72 mm along the horizontal spiral channel, as shown in Fig.…”

Geometric Design Optimisations Towards Improved Power Production Within Alkaline Carbohydrate Fuel Cells

“…High power abiotic alkaline fuel cells have shown the greatest promise, producing high open-circuit voltages of up to 1.08 V and substantial power outputs of up to 95.7 mW cm -2 . [9][10][11] The majority of alkaline carbohydrate fuel cells under development in this research space typically contain two electrodes of some surface area and thickness, spaced at an unreported distance from one another in a custom made vessel. [12][13][14] Recently reported carbohydrate fuel cells have been run at a variety of different pressures, temperatures, flow rates, gas and humidity levels, both with and without ion-exchange membranes.…”