Carbon-based fuel cell
AssigneeThe University of Akron
InventorSteven S. C. Chuang
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Abstract
A direct-electrochemical-oxidation fuel cell and method for generating electrical energy from a solid-state organic fuel. The fuel cell includes a cathode provided with an electrochemical-reduction catalyst that promotes formation of oxygen ions from an oxygen-containing source at the cathode, an anode provided with an electrochemical-oxidation catalyst that promotes direct electrochemical oxidation of the solid-state organic fuel in the presence of the oxygen ions to produce electrical energy, and a solid-oxide electrolyte disposed to transmit the oxygen ions from the cathode to the anode. The electrochemical oxidation catalyst can optionally include a sulfur resistant material.
Claims35
A direct-electrochemical-oxidation fuel cell for generating electrical energy from a solid-state organic fuel at an operating temperature of from 600° C. to 1000° C. comprising:
- a cathode provided with an electrochemical-reduction catalyst that promotes formation of oxygen ions from an oxygen-containing source at the cathode;
- a solid state anode provided with an electrochemical-oxidation catalyst that promotes direct electrochemical oxidation of the solid-state organic fuel in the presence of the oxygen ions to produce electrical energy, said solid state anode being solid at the operating temperature;
- and
- a solid-oxide electrolyte disposed to transmit the oxygen ions from the cathode to the anode.
- wherein electricity is generated by direct electrochemical oxidation at the anode according to the reaction:
- C+2O2−→CO2+4e−.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.