Development of a direct ammonia-fueled molten hydroxide fuel cell

A fundamental study on direct ammonia fuel cells with a molten hydroxide electrolyte was conducted. The electrochemical oxidation of ammonia on Pt electrode in a molten NaOH-KOH electrolyte was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and mass spectrometry. Ammonia was proved to be oxidized to N-2 on the Pt electrode during anodic polarization in the molten hydroxide electrolyte. Furthermore, the direct ammonia fuel cell, i.e., Pt gas diffusion electrodelmolten NaOH-KOH electrolyte vertical bar Pt gas diffusion electrode, was assembled and operated at 200-220 degrees C. The cell achieved the maximum power density of ca. 16 mW cm(-2) at 220 degrees C with the supply of NH3 and humidified O-2 to the anode and cathode, respectively. The mechanism of ammonia oxidation over Pt electrodes in a molten hydroxide electrolyte was discussed based on the results obtained. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.