Investigation of Electrode Degradation in Alkaline Fuel Cells: A Research Proposal

Abstract

Recent efforts in the development of fuel cell technology have concentrated on Proton Exchange Membrane, Solid Oxide, Molten Carbonate, and more recently, Direct Methanol fuel cells. Alkaline fuel cells, on the other hand, have received considerably less attention despite their successful use in the early years of the NASA Space Program. Alkaline fuel cells, however, still offer considerable potential as a viable energy conversion alternative, especially if the cell is incorporated into a regenerative system where the required reaction gases are produced. In this work, a review of the current status of development of alkaline fuel cells is undertaken with the objective of identifying areas for advancement of alkaline fuel cell technology. Specific areas of research have been identified and are described. These areas include detailed studies characterizing the evolution of the degradation of electrodes in alkaline fuel cells.