Cogeneration of cyclohexylamine and electrical power using PEM fuel cell reactor

Abstract

Cogeneration of cyclohexylamine (CHA) and electrical power using a PEM fuel cell reactor were performed by the selective reduction of nitrobenzene (NB). The maximum power density was 1.5 mW cm −2 at a current density of 15 mA cm −2 during cogeneration with the reduction of NB in ethanol. The current density varied from 1.6 to 24 mA cm −2 with the change of external load. A selectivity of 57.3% to CHA, and a selectivity of 28.2% to aniline (AN), with 8.2% conversion of NB were obtained when the hydrogen flow rate was 20 ml min −1 at 70 °C for 2 h. Effects of Pt catalyst loading and NB concentration on the behavior of cogeneration were also studied.