Fuel Exhaling Fuel Cell

Abstract

State-of-the-art proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) anodically inhale H₂ fuel and cathodically expel water molecules. We show an unprecedented fuel cell concept exhibiting cathodic fuel exhalation capability of anodically inhaled fuel, driven by the neutralization energy on decoupling the direct acid-base chemistry. The fuel exhaling fuel cell delivered a peak power density of 70 mW/cm² at a peak current density of 160 mA/cm² with a cathodic H₂ output of ∼80 mL in 1 h. We illustrate that the energy benefits from the same fuel stream can at least be doubled by directing it through proposed neutralization electrochemical cell prior to PEMFC in a tandem configuration.