Application of biochar derived from industrial tea waste into the fuel cell-a novel approach

Fuel cells play an important role in clean and efficient energy technologies. The proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell, which uses hydrogen as fuel and operates at lower temperatures than other types, is important for portable electrical systems. Carbon material is used in the most of the fuel cell parts. In this study, the effect of biomass derived biochar-the carbonized material- on fuel cell efficiency has been investigated as an alternative, clean, inexpensive and sustainable carbon material in the membrane electrode assembly. Especially the sulphated biochar, the use of catalyst was reduced by half, results in higher fuel-cell voltage. A 0.56 V voltage was obtained with a half-catalyzed fuel cell, while a 0.78 V voltage was measured when sulfated biochar was used in the same cell.