Magnesium-Air Fuel Cell employing environmentally benign and highly
porous phyllosilicate cathode capable of storing OH - ions
Abstract
Abstract: Current state-of-the-art Mg-Air batteries or Mg-Air
Fuel cells are interchangeably used and involve, Mg-Anode, highly porous
carbon cathode as Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL) for air to flow in the
cathode and reduces as hydroxyl ion (Oxygen Reduction Reaction) (ORR).
The present studies aim at the development of hydroxyl ions doped
Conducting Polymer and/or mixed metal oxide phyllosilicates-based
cathode for Mg-Air Fuel Cells. This cathode directly supplies OH- ions
to the anode for the formation of Mg(OH) 2 and
subsequently MgO without involving ORR reaction. Thus, the internal
resistance associated with ORR is eliminated and improves the
performance of Mg-Air Fuel Cells (FCs). Two cells were fabricated were,
Cell 1 with phyllosilicates and Mg-rich phyllosilicate as the cathode
and Mg(OH) 2 soaked membrane respectively, Mg anode.
Cell 2 with polyaniline cathode, Mg-enriched phyllosilicates as Mg(OH)
2 soaked membrane and Mg anode. The cell configurations
are Cell1: SS/Phyllosilicate//Mg(OH)2 soaked
Mg-enriched phyllosilicate membrane//Mg/Al Cell2:
SS/OH- ions doped
Polyaniline//Mg(OH)2 soaked Mg-enriched phyllosilicate
membrane//Mg/Al Both the cells were subjected to Galvanostatic
Charge/Discharge studies at room temperature at discharge rate of
50mA/g. Cell 1 with naturally occurring mixed oxide silicates
(phyllosilicates) performed efficiently then the Cell 2 to conducting
polymer cathode.