Diffusion and Current Generation in Porous Electrodes for Thermo-electrochemical Cells

Abstract

Carbon-based porous electrodes have led to remarkable improvements in the performance of thermochemical cells or thermocells that electrochemically harvest low-grade waste thermal energy. However, the output current from the thermocells is hampered by the diffusion effect, which leads to depleted ion concentration as the ions permeate through the porous electrode. Here, we advance a theoretical basis for a quantitative description of the diffusion effect on current generation in such porous electrodes. One single dimensionless parameter of Thiele modulus describes the effect according to the theory adopted from the well-established results in the literature. Experimental results for carbon fiber electrodes are illustrated and quantified by the theory. The theory presented here would provide a basis for the choice and design of porous electrodes for thermocells. The results should also provide a basis for devising electrochemical devices with highly porous electrodes.