Cells for formic acid
The theoretical efficiency of converting chemical energy into electrical energy in fuel cells can reach 100%. Percent, but so far the best of them are hydrogen - they have an efficiency of up to 60%, but fuel cells based on formic acid have a chance to reach these theoretical 100%. They are cheap, much lighter than the previous ones and, unlike conventional batteries, provide the possibility of continuous operation. It is worth recalling that the efficiency of low-pressure internal combustion engines is only about 20% -? says Dr. Hub. English Andrzej Borodzinski from IPC PAS.
A fuel cell is a device that converts chemical energy into electricity. The current is generated directly as a result of fuel combustion in the presence of catalysts used at the anode and cathode of the cell. The biggest obstacle to the popularization of hydrogen cells is the storage of hydrogen. This problem has proven to be extremely difficult from a technical point of view and has not yet been solved with satisfactory solutions. Competing with hydrogen cells are methanol cells. However, methanol itself is a toxic substance, and elements that consume it must be built using expensive platinum catalysts. In addition, methanol cells have low power and operate at a relatively high, and therefore potentially dangerous temperature (about 90 degrees).
An alternative solution is formic acid fuel cells. The reactions proceed at room temperature, and the efficiency and power of the cell are clearly higher than those of methanol. In addition, formic acid is a substance that is easy to store and transport. However, stable operation of the formic acid cell requires an efficient and durable catalyst. The catalyst we originally developed has a lower activity than pure palladium catalysts used so far. However, the difference disappears after two hours of operation. Getting better. While the activity of the pure palladium catalyst continues to decline, ours is stable,” says Dr. Borodzinsky.
The advantage of the catalyst developed at IPC surfactant, which is especially important from an economic point of view, is that it retains its properties when operating in low-purity formic acid. This type of formic acid can be easily produced in large quantities, including from biomass, so fuel for new cells can be very cheap. Biomass-derived formic acid would be a completely green fuel. The products of reactions occurring with its participation in fuel cells are water and carbon dioxide. The latter is a greenhouse gas, but biomass is obtained from plants that absorb it during their growth. As a result, the production of formic acid from biomass and its consumption in cells would not change the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The risk of environmental pollution by formic acid is also low.
Formic acid fuel cells will find many applications. Will their utility be particularly high in portable electronic devices? mobile phones, laptops, GPS. These elements can also be installed as power sources for vehicles ranging from wheelchairs to electric bikes and yachts.
At IPC PAS, research is now beginning on the first batteries built from formic acid fuel cells. Scientists expect that a prototype of a commercial device should be ready in a few years.
based on the materials of the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAN
