Electrochemical polarization analysis for optimization of external operation parameters in zinc fuel cells.

Thangavel Sangeetha,K David Huang,Wei-Mon Yan,Cheng-Jung Yang,Po-Tuan Chen

doi:10.1039/d0ra04454g

Thangavel Sangeetha, K David Huang + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1039/d0ra04454g

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Abstract

Zinc–air flow fuel cells utilizing zinc particles as fuel possess the potential to evolve as efficient distributed grid generators. In this research study, electrochemical impedance analysis was employed to determine the optimum design and operational parameters for the feasible maneuver and enhanced energy generation from zinc fuel cells. Polarization resistance (Rp), ohmic resistance (Rs), and mass transfer resistance (Rm) were used as the indicators for determination of the optimum parameters of fuel cell performance. Experimental conditions optimized from previous studies like potassium hydroxide electrolyte with temperature of 25 °C and concentration of 40 wt% zinc powder quantity of 20 g, electrode reaction surface area of 48 cm2 were followed in the fuel cells used in the present study. Parameters like collector plate material, air flow velocity and cell operating temperature were augmented and finally were all implemented in the fuel cell and operated. Plain nickel or nickel-plated copper were both advantageous as collector plate materials whereas an air flow velocity ranging from 1–3 m s−1 and a cell operating temperature of 25 °C to 45 °C were beneficial for the stability and performance of the zinc fuel cells. Finally, based on the optimized parameters obtained from the above experiments, performance tests of zinc fuel cells were investigated. The maximum power produced was 16.5 W, along with a corresponding voltage of 0.8 V, maximum current density of 430 mA cm−2 and peak power density of 364.6 mW cm−2. Thus it can be concluded that the fuel cells designed and operated in this study were capable for feasible and efficient future applications.

Highlights

The rocketing energy crisis and increasing environmental issues have emphasized the changeover from non-renewable to renewable energy and prerequisite research works regarding alternative sustainable energy sources
Zinc particles are added from the pores in the frame; the current is generated when the particles pass through a nickel mesh, and power generation is maintained by repeated addition of zinc particles and electrolyte solution
The reason is that the zinc particles have a high surface area for contact, which might have effectively reduced the impedance of electrons during conduction and improved the discharge performance of the cell.[23]

Summary

Introduction

The rocketing energy crisis and increasing environmental issues have emphasized the changeover from non-renewable to renewable energy and prerequisite research works regarding alternative sustainable energy sources. Zinc fuel cells generate electricity through the oxidation of zinc and are classi ed as a green renewable energy source.[1,2] These fuel cells have undergone immense advancements and optimizations in various elds like electrode materials,[3] zinc oxide treatments,[4] energy storage[5] and operational parameters.[6] Category of the anode fuel used is a vital element in a fuel cell. Flowing particle zinc anode fuel cell systems have considerable potential for more development and feasible applications because they have larger reaction sites than systems using a xed zinc plate as an electrode and have the advantages of rapid removal of zinc oxide and continuous replenishment of zinc particles “in electrochemical reactions” or “in electrochemical cells”.7.

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