A Proton‐Conducting Fuel Cell Operating with Hydrocarbon Fuels

Abstract

Low temperature, high voltage! Direct oxidation of hydrocarbon fuels, including methane, ethane, propane, and butane, occurs over Pt-free anodes in a proton-conducting fuel cell in the temperature range 100–300 °C. A Mo2C–ZrO2/C anode (30 mg Mo2C–ZrO2 per cm2) yields power densities equal to those obtained from Pt/C anodes (1–7 mg Pt per cm2) and generates higher open-circuit voltages than the Pt/C anodes.