H2O2-Based Fuel Cells for Space Power Systems

A new type of fuel cell (FC) using novel fuel and oxidizer is investigated in this research. H2O2 is used in this unique FC directly at the cathode. Two types of reactant, namely a gasphase hydrogen and an aqueous NaBH4 solution, were utilized as fuel at the anode. The direct utilization of H2O2 and NaBH4 at the electrodes, as seen in experiments, results in >30% higher voltage output compared to the ordinary H2/O2 FC. Further, the unique combination of NaBH4 and H2O2, both of which are in an aqueous form, has numerous advantages from an operational point of view. This design is inherently compact compared to other cells that use gas phase reactants. Consequently the peroxide-based FC is uniquely suited for space power applications where air is not available and a high energy density fuel is essential.

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