Membraneless H 2 O 2 Fuel Cells Driven by Metallophthalocyanine Electrocatalysts

Abstract

One-compartment hydrogen peroxide fuel cells with Co, Cu, and Fe phthalocyanine (PC) and iron nitride (Fe x N) as cathodes and Ni anode have been investigated as sustainable energy sources. The cells were operated under acidic conditions and at room temperature. The potentials for onset of the catalytic currents in these cells were determined via cyclic voltammograms. The reduction current onset potentials of FePC, CoPC, CuPC and Fe x N were 0.56 V, 0.42 V, 0.51 V and 0.57 V, respectively. Potential-current linear sweep voltammetry was utilized to determine the open circuit potentials (OCP) and the power densities the fuel cells. The OCPs for Co, Cu, and Fe phthalocyanines and Fe x N were 0.47 V, 0.57 V, 0.56 V and 0.58 V, respectively. The maximum output power densities of FePC and CoPC, CuPC, and Fe x N were 3.41 mW cm −2 , 0.39 mW cm −2 , 0.39 mW cm −2 and 0.76 mW cm −2 , respectively. These power densities are suitable for powering micro-devices.