High-Voltage Dual Electrolyte Electrochemical Power Sources

A general method of operating a fuel cell or a battery with a positive electrode in acid and negative electrode in alkaline is discussed. This method can increase the operating voltage and power by as much as 50%. The alkaline electrolyte in the negative electrode compartment and the acidic electrolyte in the positive electrode compartment are separated by a bipolar membrane which provides the ionic conductivity between the two electrolytes and the continuous supply of protons and hydroxide anions via the water splitting reaction. The ability of a bipolar membrane to split water into the ions with low energy helps to achieve the cell voltage gained during discharge of the dual electrolyte power source.