Single Compartment Micro Direct Glucose Fuel Cell

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Journal Title

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Volume Title

Elektroniikan, tietoliikenteen ja automaation tiedekunta | Master's thesis

Date

2009

Department

Major/Subject

Optiikka ja molekyylimateriaalit

Mcode

S-129

Degree programme

Language

en

Pages

131

Series

Abstract

Micro fuel cells have received considerable attention over the past decade due to their high efficiency, large energy density, rapid refuelling capability and their inherent non-polluting aspect. An air breathing abiotically catalyzed single compartment micro direct glucose fuel cell (SC-µDGFC) has been developed using microfabrication technologies. The single compartment of the fuel cell was shared by the anode and cathode that had an interdigitating comb electrodes configuration. The SC-µDGFC compartment was formed of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) which exhibits high permeability to oxygen and served as the membrane through which oxygen from ambient environment was able to permeate to the cathode. To minimize the losses associated with fuel crossover, two features were incorporated in the fuel cell: (i) silver was used as the catalyst to selectively reduce oxygen in the presence of glucose and (ii) cathodes were made 25-45µm higher than the anode to reduce access of oxygen to the anode with nickel or platinum catalyst. For 1M glucose/2M KOH solution, an initial OCV of 120-160mV was recorded, which gradually decreased with time and stabilized at 60-75mV. For a fuel cell tested without PDMS membrane, maximum OCV of 135mV and power density of 0.38µW/cm2 was obtained.

Description

Supervisor

Franssila, Sami

Keywords

micro fuel cells, direct glucose fuel cell, microfabrication

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