Nanotechnology and its Applications to Fuel Cells

1. Nanotechnology and its Applications to Fuel Cells Christina Bishop University of Tulsa Two types of fuel cells appear to be the most promising for commercial application: hydrogen fuel cells and direct methanol fuel cells. Hydrogen fuel cells are being researched by automobile manufactures as a replacement for or hybrid with fossil fuels in passenger cars and public transportation.Direct methanol fuel cells can be used to power portable electronic devices such as mp3 players and cell phones.

2. Background and Introduction • Fuel cells have been around since the middle of the nineteenth century, but their use has been limited to the space industry [1]. • Recently, companies have been looking for a more efficient, reusable energy source, and fuel cells are a likely candidate. • Two factors inhibiting the use of fuel cells in consumer application are efficiency and size. • I plan to focus my study, during and after graduate school, on nanotechnology with applications in fuel cell research. • I hope to contribute my skills to a research area that may one day power cars and houses by fuel cells instead of fossil fuels. 

3. Literature Review - History • 1839- First fuel cell designed by Sir William Robert Grove. • 1889-The term fuel cell was coined by Ludwig Mond and Charles Langer. • 1913- Dr. Francis Thomas Bacon created the first alkaline fuel cell which he termed the “Bacon Cell”. • 1960’s- NASA uses fuel cells to power their manned space missions [2].

4. Literature Review- Research • Replace PEM with microfluidic transport of laminar flow • Jayashree, et al. [3] • Decrease weak adsorption commonly found in nano-electrodes • Ding, Chen, Erlebacher [4] • Use nanomaterials to seal catalyst from contamination • Brochu, et al. [5] • Nanocoil and nanotube framework to replace carbon black • Park, et al. [6] • Girishkumar, et al. [7] • Optimization of nano-fuel cell arrays • Lux and Rodgriguez [8]

5. Theoretical Background • The idea of fuel cells came about through work with electrolysis • The First Law of Electrolysis • The Second Law of Electrolysis

6. Theoretical BackgroundHydrogen Fuel Cells • A fuel cell is an electromechanical energy conversion device which produces electricity with an oxidant and a fuel source. • Net reaction H2 + .5O2 → H2O

7. Current ResearchHydrogen Fuel Cells • The automotive industry hopes to utilize fuel cells as either a sole power source or in conjunction with fossil fuels or ethanol in hybrid vehicles. • All major automobile manufacturers from GM to Honda have a prototype fuel cell car fully developed in testing on city roads [2]. • Research focus: • Safe storage of hydrogen • Reduction of size of fuel cells

8. Future DirectionsHydrogen Fuel Cells • Safe storage of hydrogen • Use a reformer • Nanomaterials as storage method • Reduction in fuel cell size • Nano-fuel cells

9. Theoretical BackgroundDirect Methanol Fuel Cells • A DMFC is arranged similarly to the hydrogen fuel cell, since they are both polymer exchange fuel cells. • Anode CH3OH + H2O → CO2 + 6H+ + 6e- • Cathode 1.5O2 + 6H+ + 6e- → 3H2O • Net reaction CH3OH + 1.5O2 → CO2 + 2H2O

10. Current ResearchDirect Methanol Fuel Cells • Electronics companies in Europe and Asia are researching the use of fuel cells as a power source for small electronic devices. • Recent advances in the portable electronics industry include: • A DMFC laptop that uses 30% methanol [2]. • The hybrid DMFC/battery system to power cell phones and 2-way radios [2]. • A DMFC with a “passive” fuel supply system which feeds methanol directly into the cell. Guinness World Records recognized Toshiba’s achievement in 2005 [10]. • Research Focus: • Efficiency increase • Safe storage of methanol

11. Future ResearchDirect Methanol Fuel Cells • Increase efficiency • A new DMFC that uses discrete tubes in a multi-layer ceramic configuration to mix methanol and water [2]. • Safe handling of methanol • While safe handling of methanol is still a challenge from a regulatory end, Toshiba contends that if not tampered with, the methanol cartridges they have developed are safer than a battery since batteries store energy inside and fuel cells do not [10].

12. References • [1] Whittingham, M.; Saviness, Robert, Zawodzinski, Thomas. Chemical Reviews. 2004, 104. • [2] “History.” Fuel Cell Today. 24 Nov. 2006. http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/FuelCellToday/EducationCentre/Edu cationCentreExternal/EduCentreDisplay/0,1741,History,00.html • [3] Jayashree, et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc.2005. 127, 16758-16759. • [4] Ding, Yi; Chen, Mingwei; Erlebacher, Jonah. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 6876-6877. • [5] Brochu, M, et al. J. Am. Ceram. Soc.2005, 89 [3], 810-816. • [6] Park, Kyung-Won, et al. J. Phys. Chem.2004, 108, 939-944. • [7] Girishkumar, G, et al. J. Phys. Chem. B. 2006, 110, 107-114. • [8] Lux, Kenneth; Rodriuez, Karien. Nanoletters. 2006, 6, 288-295. • [9] “U.S. Risks Missing the Boat in Micro-Power Fuel Cells; Low Awareness Ceding Crucial, New Market to Japan, Others, States PolyFuel CEO.” Nano Tsunami. 24 Nov. 2006. http://www.voyle.net/Nano%20Battery/Nano%20Battery%20200 5- 0010.htm • [10] “Frequently Asked Questions about Toshiba Fuel Cell Technology.” Toshiba America Electronics Components, Inc. 24 Nov. 2006. http://www.toshiba.com/taec/components/Generic/DMFC_FAQ.pd f