High performance alkaline-acid direct glycerol fuel cells for portable power supplies via electrode structure design

Alkaline-acid direct glycerol fuel cells (AA-DGFC) were fabricated and primarily proven to be used as portable power generating devices. Pt/C catalyst was used as electrocatalyst for both anode and cathode. The optimal operating condition for cathode was firstly tested. Then the effects of types of backing and microporous layer on the cell performance and stability were investigated to obtain the optimal electrode structure. The cell performance was determined by using both chronoamperometry technique at a constant voltage of 0.4 V, and cell polarization with impedance measurement. The maximum peak power density obtained from the cell was 375 mW cm2 and the highest average current density discharged from the cell was 451 mA cm2 . Non-wetproof carbon cloth is suitable as the backing layer for both the anode and cathode. Although MPL did not directly affect the cell performance, it greatly improved stability of the current discharged during chronoamperometric test. The cathode favors hydrophilic MPL, while hydrophobic MPL was preferred on the anode