Compact Direct Feed Formic Acid Fuel Cells with Advanced Membrane-Electrode Assembly

The proposed work will evaluate new ordered intermetallic catalysts for Direct Formic Acid Fuel Cells (DFAFC) in practical fuel cell hardware. The influence in catalyst composition, processing method, particle size and morphology on anode polarization will be investigated. The improved formic acid catalysts, together with low membrane cross-over rates and the potential to use very concentrated fuel/water mixes, may form the basis of a liquid feed fuel cell which exceeds the Direct Methanol Fuel Cells specific energy and energy density. Proposed catalysts will incorporate non-precious metals for reduced cost. Synthetic protocols developed at Cornell University permit the tailoring of ordered geometric and electronic effects for improved catalysis. Methods will be developed for processing membrane electrode assemblies. In addition to evaluation in practical fuel cell hardware, catalysts will be examined with surface spectroscopy to understand the structure, composition and stability of the new catalysts.