Oxidation-reduction reaction fuel cells based

In me previous chapter we discussed acid-base reactions, which are chemical reactions involving the transfer of pro Lons from one reactant to another. In this chapter, we explored oxidation-reduction reactions, which involve the transfer of one or more electrons from one reactant to another. Oxidation-reduction reactions have many applications, such as in photography, batteries, fuel cells, the manufacture and corrosion of metals, and the combustion of non-metallic materials such as wood. 

Fuel cells are based on oxidation-reduction reactions (see Section 4.9). The most common type of fuel cell—called the hydrogen-oxygen fuel ceU— is based on the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen ... 

Such bimetallic alloys display higher tolerance to the presence of methanol, as shown in Fig. 11.12, where Pt-Cr/C is compared with Pt/C. However, an increase in alcohol concentration leads to a decrease in the tolerance of the catalyst [Koffi et al., 2005 Coutanceau et ah, 2006]. Low power densities are currently obtained in DMFCs working at low temperature [Hogarth and Ralph, 2002] because it is difficult to activate the oxidation reaction of the alcohol and the reduction reaction of molecular oxygen at room temperature. To counterbalance the loss of performance of the cell due to low reaction rates, the membrane thickness can be reduced in order to increase its conductance [Shen et al., 2004]. As a result, methanol crossover is strongly increased. This could be detrimental to the fuel cell s electrical performance, as methanol acts as a poison for conventional Pt-based catalysts present in fuel cell cathodes, especially in the case of mini or micro fuel cell applications, where high methanol concentrations are required (5-10 M). 

For the study of the electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen and oxidation of methanol, our approach to the preparation of catalysts by two-phase protocol " provides a better controllability over size, composition or surface properties in comparison with traditional approaches such as coprecipitation, deposition-precipitation, and impregnation. " The electrocatalytic activities were studied in both acidic and alkaline electrolytes. This chapter summarizes some of these recent results, which have provided us with further information for assessing gold-based alloy catalysts for fuel cell reactions. 

The authors react Fe with a low-grade, acid, sub-bituminous coal (SBC) slurry to produce carbon dioxide and Fe. The latter ion can then be harnessed as the anode of the cell, with the oxidation reaction Fe to Fe coupled to the reduction of vanadium dioxide at the cathode of the fuel cell. The first primitive device is said to be 7% efficient, but that is based on the fuel calorific value, asserted to be irrational in this book and in (Barclay, 2002). An alternative catalyst is mooted to start the path to improvement. The fate of the used slurry is not discussed. It could be burnt or buried, depending on economics. 

The use of gas diffusion electrodes is another way to achieve high current densities. Such electrodes are used in the fuel-cell field and are typically made with porous materials. The electrocatalyst particles are highly dispersed inside the porous carbon electrode, and the reaction takes place at the gas/liquid/solid three-phase boundary. COj reduction proceeds on the catalyst particles and the gas produced returns to the gas compartment. We have used activated carbon fibers (ACF) as supports for metal catalysts, as they possess high porosity and additionally provide extremely narrow (several nm) slit-shaped pores, in which nano-space" effects can occur. In the present work, encouraging results have been obtained with these types of electrodes. Based on the nanospace effects, electroreduction under high pressure-like conditions is expected. In the present work, we have used two types of gas diffusion electrodes. In one case, we have used metal oxide-supported Cu electrocatalysts, while in the other case, we have used activated carbon (ACF)-supported Fe and Ni electrocatalysts. In both cases, high current densities were obtained. 

In the above reactions, the oxidation process takes place in the anode electrode where the methanol is oxidized to carbon dioxide, protons, and electrons. In the reduction process, the protons combine with oxygen to form water and the electrons are transferred to produce the power. Figure 9-1 is a reaction scheme describing the probable methanol electrooxidation process (steps i-viii) within a DMFC anode [1]. Only Pt-based electrocatalysts show the necessary reactivity and stability in the acidic environment of the DMFC to be of practical use [2], This is the complete explanation of the anodic reactions at the anode electrode. The electrodes perform well due to the presence of a ruthenium catalyst added to the platinum anode (electrode). Addition of ruthenium catalyst enhances the reactivity of methanol in fuel cell at lower temperatures [3]. The ruthenium catalyst oxidizes carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide, which in return helps methanol reactivity with platinum at lower temperatures [4]. Because of this conversion, carbon dioxide is present in greater quantity around the anode electrode [5]. 

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