Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: New concept of fuel cell for efficiency and environment: It grasps both performance efficiency and removal of toxic heavy metal ions in direct methanol fuel cells

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The electro-oxidation measurements clearly showed that the adsorbed CO was removed by Cr(VI). Based on the standard reduction potential values for COad electro-oxidation coupled with OHad ,CO(g) oxidation to CO2 and Cr(VI) reduction and [E0 (CO2/COad +OHad) = 0.7~0.8 VNHE (from electrochemical measurements)] , [E 0(CO2/CO) = -0.1 VNHE] and [E0 (Cr2O72?/Cr3+) = 1.35 VNHE], the oxidation of CO to CO2 coupled with the reductive conversion of Cr (VI) to Cr (III) is thermodynamically spontaneous. This redox process achieved not only the cleaning of the Pt electrode surface but also the transformation of toxic Cr (VI) into non-toxic Cr (III).

CREDIT IBS Center for Nanoparticle Research

Abstract:
The Center for Nanoparticle Research at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) has succeeded in proposing a new method to enhance fuel cell efficiency with the simultaneous removal of toxic heavy metal ions.

New concept of fuel cell for efficiency and environment: It grasps both performance efficiency and removal of toxic heavy metal ions in direct methanol fuel cells

Daejeon, Korea | Posted on January 5th, 2015

The direct methanol fuel cell (DFMC) has been a promising energy conversion device for electrical vehicles and portable devices. However, the inevitable Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is one of the main factors reducing its performance. Furthermore, the hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) also present, is a harmfully toxic, carcinogenic heavy metal in the aquatic environment.

The research team applied the Cr (VI) as a type of "CO scavenger" to the DMFC. Their new method not only uses the redox process to clean the platinum electrode surface by transforming CO into CO2 , but also allows for the Cr (VI) to convert into Cr (III), which is a much less toxic oxidation state and even a micronutrient. As a result, the potential maintained a nearly constant value of up to 10 hours and the presence of Cr (VI) was completely absent. Moreover, it enhances the maximum power density by 20% at 70?.

"Fuel cells have presented obstacles such as low performance and CO poisoning which have prevented them from becoming possible, next generation energy sources until now," explains Professor Yung-Eun Sung, both a group leader of the Center for Nanoparticle Research at IBS and the professor of the School of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the Seoul National University. "This new hybrid fuel cell technology is expected to propel the deployment of direct methanol fuel cells."

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