HYDROCARBON-AIR FUEL CELL
Abstract
Studies aimed at the development of a direct hydrocarbon-air fuel cell system for moderate temperature and pressure operation indicates that anode electrocatalysis is the key problem area. Research emphasized (1) improving platinum catalyst utilization and (2) developing a non-noble hydrocarbon catalyst. Studies aimed at defining the range of catalytically active non-noble metal-tungsten oxides have shown that a wide variety of metals can produce electrochemically active anodes and cathodes. Most of the first row transition metal-tungsten oxides and magnetic rare earth tungsten bronzes show both anodic and cathodic activity. All of these materials were active as cathodes. This appears to be a general property of the conductive tungsten oxides. These metal tungsten oxygen systems also show promise for use in 275 C pyrophosphoric acid electrolytes. No significant corrosion was observed even through the Fe0.2WO3 could sustain 100 ma/sq cm on oxygen. Supported platinum catalysts continue to show promise of significant hydrocarbon activity improvement. A new Co-Pt on FC- 30 carbon catalyst has shown significant utilization at temperature ranging from 150 to 275 C. For example, a 1.5 mg Pt/sq cm electrolyte (13 mils thick) yielded 200 ma/sq cm of 0.45 volts polarized on butane (110 ma/mg Pt) in 200 C phosphoric acid.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0816318
Entities
People
- Barret Broyde
- Carl E. Heath
- Eugene H. Okrent
- Morton Beltzer
- Paul Duby