Direct Formic Acid Fuel Cell - Potential and Challenges as a Power System with Environmentally Friendly -

Abstract

Potential and challenges direct formic acid fuel cell (DFAFC) as a power system with environmentally friendly was discussed in this paper. Formic acid can be produced from various routes, such as a waste from the paint factory, hydrogenation of carbon dioxide, electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide and biogas. All these methods are regarded as “Environmentally friendly technique”; hence, formic acid is regarded as environmentally friendly fuel. We focused on the direct use of formic acid by DFAFC since the cost and the loss by the conversion process can be reduced. DFAFC can generate higher power density comparing to the other direct liquid type fuel cell, however, its power density is still far from that of polymer electrolyte fuel cell. In order to improve the power generation characteristics, it was found that the anode activation loss and anode mass transport loss should be improved. Therefore, the novel catalyst, which is a Pd supported by a nanoparticle containing carbon nano fiber, has been developed, and the porous properties of the anode porous electrode have been controlled. Through these studies, we believe that DFAFC is one of promising environmentally friendly power sources and it will be implemented socially in near future.