Direct Formic Acid Fuel Cells with 600 mA cm^–2 at 0.4 V and 22 °C

Abstract

Abstract A demonstration of direct formic acid fuel cells (DFAFCs) generating very high power density at ambient temperature is reported. In particular, the performance of the Pd black as an anode catalyst for DFAFCs with different formic acid feed concentrations at different operating temperatures has been evaluated. The Pd black based DFAFCs with dry air and zero backpressure can generate a maximum power density of 248 and 271 mW cm –2 at 22 °C and 30 °C respectively. The open cell potential is 0.90 V. These results show that DFAFCs are potentially excellent alternative power sources for small portable electronic devices.