Discharge performance of alkaline sulfide fuel cells using non-precious anode catalysts

Abstract

The choice of fuel is an important issue influencing the selection of catalyst, cost, and commercialization of fuel cells. Electrochemically-active and low-cost fuels that can be oxidized by non-precious catalysts are an attractive objective. The native electrochemical activity and low cost of sulfide make it a suitable candidate. Fuel cells using alkaline sulfide as a fuel were developed. At room temperature, a single cell containing non-precious anode catalysts achieves a maximum power density of 12.3 mW· cm -2 with a current density of 42.8 mA· cm -2. Life tests show that alkaline sulfide fuel cells exhibit good durability. Ion chromatography detected considerable amounts of thiosulfate, sulfite, and sulfate. The deep oxidation and high capacity of sulfide make it an attractive fuel candidate. Compared with other fuels, sulfide has the advantages of being inexpensive, easy to transport, possesses high electrochemical activity, and can be catalyzed by non-precious catalysts. © Editorial office of Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica.