title: A simple high-performance matrix-free biomass molten carbonate fuel cell without CO2 recirculation.
abstract: In previous reports, flowing CO2 at the cathode is essential for either conventional molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs) based on molten carbonate/LiAlO2 electrolytes or matrix-free MCFCs. For the first time, we demonstrate a high-performance matrix-free MCFC without CO2 recirculation. At 800°C, power densities of 430 and 410 mW/cm(2) are achieved when biomass-bamboo charcoal and wood, respectively-is used as fuel. At 600°C, a stable performance is observed during the measured 90 hours after the initial degradation. In this MCFC, CO2 is produced at the anode when carbon-containing fuels are used. The produced CO2 then dissolves and diffuses to the cathode to react with oxygen in open air, forming the required [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] ions for continuous operation. The dissolved [Formula: see text] ions may also take part in the cell reactions. This provides a simple new fuel cell technology to directly convert carbon-containing fuels such as carbon and biomass into electricity with high efficiency.
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.; Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia.
authors.forename: Shanwen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tao
mesh_terms: D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D018533:Biomass; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D002254:Carbonates / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D004560:Electricity; D004566:Electrodes; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D002254:Carbonates; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen
keywords: Biomass; CO2 recirculation; carbon; molten carbonate fuel cell