Direct borohydride fuel cells-current status, issues, and future directions

Abstract

Fuel cells using borohydride as the fuel will be reviewed in this chapter. A direct borohydride fuel cell (DBFC) is a device that converts chemical energy stored in borohydride ion (BH−4BH4−) and an oxidant directly into electricity by redox processes. DBFC has some attractive features such as high open circuit potential, low operational temperature, and high power density. Both electro-oxidation of BH−4BH4− and electro-reduction of oxidant take place on a large variety of precious and non-precious materials. DBFCs share similarities in terms of electrode preparation methods, fuel cell system design, etc. with PEFCs, which have been developed more extensively. Therefore, in this chapter, fuel cell technology, particularly PEFC, will be first reviewed to better understand materials and components of DBFC. Then the chapter continues to discuss prominent features of DBFC, and finally points out potential future direction of DBFC research.