Propane fuel cells using phosphoric-acid-doped polybenzimidazole membranes.
Propane fuel cells using H(3)PO(4)-doped polybenzimidazole polymer membranes produce low and unsustainable current densities at temperatures up to 250 degrees C under anhydrous conditions. Stable intermediate species blocked the surface of noble metal anode catalysts, and the intermediate species could not react further into desorbable final products. In contrast, when water was introduced by light humidification (S(r) 0.08%) of the propane stream, sustainable and higher current densities were achieved. Water participated in the reaction sequence to form surface-bound hydrocarbon and then oxygen-containing intermediates and thereby generated CO and CO(2) as the only carbon-containing products.
Cheng
Chin Kui
CK
Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G6, Canada.
Luo
Jing Li
JL
Chuang
Karl T
KT
Sanger
Alan R
AR