Ammonia Carbonate Fuel Cells Based on a Mixed NH4+/H+ Ion Conducting Electrolyte

Abstract

On-board hydrogen storage remains a challenge to validate hydrogen fuel cells for transport applications. Ammonium bicarbonate is widely used as low-cost fertilizer in farms. Solid NH4HCO3 and (NH4)2CO3 contains high weight percentage of hydrogen and are potential on-board hydrogen storage materials. The use of ammonia or ammonium salts as fuels for a fuel cell is an alternative approach for indirect hydrogen storage. Here, for the first time, we report ammonia and ammonium carbonate fuel cells based on mixed NH4+/H+ conducting electrolytes. This novel fuel cell shows considerable potential for transport and portable applications.