Fuel composition for fuel cell and fuel cell using the same

Abstract

Provided is a fuel composition for a fuel cell including a first fuel which generates protons and electrons, and hydrogen gas. Also, provided is a fuel cell using the fuel composition. Using the fuel composition for a fuel cell, catalyst activation can be increased. Also, a fuel cell having high efficiency and excellent performance can be prepared using the fuel composition.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a graph of current density against time for fuel cells prepared according to Example 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention and Comparative Examples 1 through 3;

FIG. 2 is a graph of current density against time for fuel cells prepared according to Example 2 according to another embodiment of the present invention and Comparative Example 4; and

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a fuel cell suitable for use with the above fuel composition or method.

Claims

1. A fuel composition for a fuel cell comprising: a first fuel which generates protons and electrons; andhydrogen gas.

2. The fuel composition for the fuel cell of claim 1, wherein the amount of the hydrogen gas is in the range of 0.01 to 30 volume percent.

3. The fuel composition for the fuel cell of claim 1, wherein the first fuel comprises at least one aqueous solution selected from the group consisting of C1-C10 alkyl alcohols and C1-C10 alkyl acids.

4. The fuel composition for the fuel cell of claim 3, wherein the aqueous solution is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, and formic acid.

5. The fuel composition for the fuel cell of claim 3, wherein the concentration of the aqueous solution is in the range of 0.01 to 17 M.

6. A method of preparing the fuel composition of claim 1 comprising bubbling the hydrogen gas into the first fuel.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the temperature while bubbling the hydrogen gas is in the range of −50 to 80° C.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the pressure while bubbling the hydrogen gas is in the range of 0.1 to 20 L/min.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the bubbling rate of the hydrogen gas is in the range of 1 mL/min to 20 L/min.

10. A fuel cell comprising: a cathode;an anode;an electrolyte film; andthe fuel composition of claim 1.

11. The fuel cell of claim 10 wherein the electrolyte film comprises a solid perfluorinated polymer membrane.

12. The fuel cell of claim 10 wherein the anode comprises an electron accepting catalyst disposed on the electrolyte film on the side toward the fuel composition.

13. The fuel cell of claim 12 wherein the anode further comprises the electron accepting catalyst mixed with additional solid perfluorinated polymer membrane and attached to the electrolyte film under high temperature and pressure.

14. The fuel cell of claim 12 wherein the anode comprises the electron accepting catalyst coated on a fuel diffusion layer and attached to the electrolyte film under high temperature and pressure.

15. The fuel cell of claim 10 wherein the cathode comprises an electron donating catalyst disposed on the electrolyte film on the side opposite the fuel composition.

16. The fuel cell of claim 15 wherein the cathode further comprises the electron donating catalyst mixed with additional solid perfluorinated polymer membrane and attached to the electrolyte film under high temperature and pressure.

17. The fuel cell of claim 15 wherein the cathode comprises the electron donating catalyst coated on a fuel diffusion layer and attached to the electrolyte film under high temperature and pressure.