Performance of a low-cost direct glucose fuel cell with an anion-exchange membrane

Abstract

This paper reports on the use of renewable carbohydrate as a high-density energy source for electricity production under low temperatures. We have developed a two-chamber glucose alkaline fuel cell with a low-cost anion-exchange membrane. Methyl viologen (MV) and nickel foam were used as electrocatalyst for glucose oxidation reaction at the anode. Effects of various experimental parameters on the fuel-cell performance were investigated. The fuel cell achieved the maximum power density of 5.20 W m−2 at 15 mM MV, 3 M KOH, 1 M glucose, and 25 °C. The performance can be improved further by increasing operational temperature and concentrations of MV, KOH, and glucose. HPLC results show the main oxidation products are short-chain aliphatic carboxylic acids. Specific discharge capacity of glucose reached 153.58 ± 17.49 mAh g−1 in the fuel cell with AEM, which was 1.81-fold higher than without AEM.