Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells: A Comparative Review of Acidic and Alkaline Systems

Enrico Berretti , Luigi Osmieri , Vincenzo Baglio , Hamish A. Miller , Jonathan Filippi , Francesco Vizza , Monica Santamaria , Stefania Specchia , Carlo Santoro , Alessandro Lavacchi

Electrochemical Energy Reviews ›› 2023, Vol. 6 ›› Issue (1)

PDF
Electrochemical Energy Reviews ›› 2023, Vol. 6 ›› Issue (1) DOI: 10.1007/s41918-023-00189-3
Review Article

Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells: A Comparative Review of Acidic and Alkaline Systems

Author information +
History +
PDF

Abstract

In the last 20 years, direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) have been the subject of tremendous research efforts for the potential application as on-demand power sources. Two leading technologies respectively based on proton exchange membranes (PEMs) and anion exchange membranes (AEMs) have emerged: the first one operating in an acidic environment and conducting protons; the second one operating in alkaline electrolytes and conducting hydroxyl ions. In this review, we present an analysis of the state-of-the-art acidic and alkaline DAFCs fed with methanol and ethanol with the purpose to support a comparative analysis of acidic and alkaline systems, which is missing in the current literature. A special focus is placed on the effect of the reaction stoichiometry in acidic and alkaline systems. Particularly, we point out that, in alkaline systems, OH participates stoichiometrically to reactions, and that alcohol oxidation products are anions. This aspect must be considered when designing the fuel and when making an energy evaluation from a whole system perspective.

Graphical Abstract

Cite this article

Download citation ▾
Enrico Berretti, Luigi Osmieri, Vincenzo Baglio, Hamish A. Miller, Jonathan Filippi, Francesco Vizza, Monica Santamaria, Stefania Specchia, Carlo Santoro, Alessandro Lavacchi. Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells: A Comparative Review of Acidic and Alkaline Systems. Electrochemical Energy Reviews, 2023, 6(1): DOI:10.1007/s41918-023-00189-3

登录浏览全文

4963

注册一个新账户 忘记密码

References

Funding

Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca(2017YH9MRK)

AI Summary AI Mindmap
PDF

202

Accesses

0

Citation

Detail

Sections
Recommended

AI思维导图

/