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Published Online November 20, 2003
Science DOI: 10.1126/science.1090920

Reports

Submitted on August 28, 2003
Accepted on November 12, 2003

High-Performance Solid Acid Fuel Cells Through Humidity Stabilization

Dane A. Boysen 1, Tetsuya Uda 1, Calum R. I. Chisholm 1, Sossina M. Haile 1*

1 Materials Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: smhaile{at}caltech.edu.

While they hold the promise of clean energy, state-of-the-art fuel cells based on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells are inoperable above 100°C, require cumbersome humidification systems, and suffer from fuel permeation. These difficulties all arise from the hydrated nature of the electrolyte. In contrast, "solid acids" exhibit anhydrous proton transport and high temperature stability. We demonstrate continuous, stable power generation for both H2/O2 and direct methanol fuel cells operated at 250°C using a humidity-stabilized solid acid CsH2PO4 electrolyte.




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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)