Indirect Formic Acid Fuel Cell Based on a Palladium or Palladium-Alloy Film Separating Fuel Reaction and Electricity Generation

An indirect fuel cell concept is presented herein where a palladium-based membrane (either pure Pd with 25 m thickness or Pd75Ag25 alloy with 10 m thickness) is used to separate the electrochemical cell compartment from a catalysis compartment. In this system, hydrogen is generated from a hydrogen-rich molecule, such as formic acid, and selectively permeated through the membrane into the electrochemical compartment where it is then converted into electricity. In this way, hydrogen is generated and converted in situ, overcoming the issues associated with hydrogen storage and presenting chemical hydrogen storage as an attractive and feasible alternative with potential application in future micro- and macro-power devices for a wide range of applications and fuels.