Room temperature dialkylimidazolium ionic liquid-based fuel cells

The non-Bronsted acid-base room temperature imidazolium ionic liquids, such as 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMI.BF4), are out-standing electrolytes for fuel cells. A 67% overall cell efficiency is achieved using these liquids as supporting electrolytes for a commercially available alkaline fuel cells (AFC) at room temperature operating with air and hydrogen at atmospheric pressure. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier B.V.