Aluminum-hydrogen peroxide fuel-cell studies

Swift has developed an Al-H2O2 semi fuel-cell (SFC) that uses a novel approach to increase the maximum power output of the cell. Pure, high surface area aluminum flakes, courtesy of Transmet Corporation of Columbus, Ohio, are compressed to form the anode of the fuel cell. Using compressed flakes creates a greater surface area than is available with planar electrodes. The cathode is a gold-plated mesh, which allows the potassium hydroxide electrolyte and H2O2 oxidizer to flow through. A nylon mesh is situated between the cathode and anode in order to prevent short circuiting within the cell. This paper reports upon the viability of using these compressed aluminum flakes with hydrogen peroxide in a fuel-cell system. Tests are conducted to determine the maximum power available, the duration of the cell's effectiveness, and the efficiencies associated to corrosion of aluminum and decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. The above figures-of-merit are used to determine the optimum porosity of the aluminum anode. This porosity is also bounded by its ability to keep the electrical connection without breaking apart in the solution. Also discussed is the optimization of the potassium-hydroxide electrolyte and the hydrogen-peroxide concentrations. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.