Clean and highly efficient energy production has long been sought after, as a way to solve global energy and environmental problems. Fuel cells, which convert the chemical energy stored in fuel directly into electrici...Clean and highly efficient energy production has long been sought after, as a way to solve global energy and environmental problems. Fuel cells, which convert the chemical energy stored in fuel directly into electricity, are expected to be a key enabling technology for the pressing energy issues that plague our planet. Fuel cells require oxygen as an oxidant and require oxygen tank containers when used in air-free environments such as outer space and underwater. Hydrogen peroxide has been extensively uti- lized as an alternative liquid oxidant in place of gaseous oxygen. In addition to being an oxidant, hydrogen peroxide can donate electrons in the oxidation reaction to act as a fuel. This article provides an overview of the dual role of hydrogen peroxide in fuel-cell applications, including working principle, system design, and cell performance. Recent innovations and future perspectives of fuel cells that use hydrogen peroxide are particularly emphasized.展开更多
基金fully supported by a grant fromthe Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,China(HKUST9/CRF/11G)
文摘Clean and highly efficient energy production has long been sought after, as a way to solve global energy and environmental problems. Fuel cells, which convert the chemical energy stored in fuel directly into electricity, are expected to be a key enabling technology for the pressing energy issues that plague our planet. Fuel cells require oxygen as an oxidant and require oxygen tank containers when used in air-free environments such as outer space and underwater. Hydrogen peroxide has been extensively uti- lized as an alternative liquid oxidant in place of gaseous oxygen. In addition to being an oxidant, hydrogen peroxide can donate electrons in the oxidation reaction to act as a fuel. This article provides an overview of the dual role of hydrogen peroxide in fuel-cell applications, including working principle, system design, and cell performance. Recent innovations and future perspectives of fuel cells that use hydrogen peroxide are particularly emphasized.
