Warsaw-based Polish Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Physical Chemistry has developed a new catalyst that paves the way for lightweight, long-lasting, inexpensive and eco-friendly fuel cells based on formic acid.
According to Dr. Andrzej Borodziñski of the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IPC PAS), hydrogen-powered fuel cells demonstrate the highest conversion efficiency of up to 60%. However, the major problem with them is the storage of hydrogen, which is technically challenging and satisfactory solutions are yet to be determined. Methanol-powered fuel cells, require costly catalysts based on platinum. The toxicity of methanol is also a problem.
The formic acid-powered fuel cells are a better alternative when compared with methanol fuel cell technology. In these cells, the reactions take place at room temperature and their power and efficiency is better than methanol fuel cells. Formic acid can easily be transported and stored. However, in order to increase the operation stability of the formic acid fuel cells, a long-lasting and efficient catalyst is required.
Borodziñski stated that the catalyst developed by the institute has lower activity initially when compared to current pure palladium-based catalysts. However, after two hours of operation, the new catalyst demonstrated better stability, while the activity of the catalysts made of pure palladium declined with respect to time.
The new catalyst of IPC PAS retains its properties when operated in low-pure formic acid, which can be manufactured in huge volumes using biomass. Thus, the fuel for the new fuel cells would be inexpensive and eco-friendly. Formic acid produces water and CO2 as byproducts during its reactions in fuel cells. The carbon dioxide generated by the fuel cells during the power production process is a greenhouse gas. Since biomass is acquired from plants, which need carbon dioxide to grow, the formic acid obtained from biomass and used in fuel cells does not alter the carbon dioxide content in air thus saving the environment from increased level of carbon dioxide discharges
The research is being performed on the first formic acid-based batteries at the IPC PAS. The scientists anticipate that a commercial equipment prototype should be available in the next two years. Formic acid-based fuel cells would be ideal for portable consumer electronic equipment such as laptops and mobile phones. They can be used as power supply sources in vehicles ranging from wheel chairs, electric bicycles to yachts.