BIOCHEMICAL FUEL CELLS.
Abstract
The electro-oxidation of formic acid was investigated under conditions compatible with, but independent of, biological systems. Current densities near 10mA/sq cm at polarizations less than 0.25 volt were consistently obtained with formic acid under these experimental conditions. The effects of temperature, electrode catalyst, pH, and fuel concentration on the electrochemical performance of this electrode are reported. The electrochemical behavior of the E. coli-glucose and the E. coli-pyruvate systems (formic acid bioelectrodes) were investigated using dispersed suspensions of the bacteria. Current densities of 5 mA/sq cm at polarizations near 0.25 volt were obtained with these bioelectrochemical systems. Thus, the rate of biological generation of formic acid is presently limiting the current output in both of these systems. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 31, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0434713
Entities
People
- H. P. Silverman
- W. R. Momyer