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Originally published in Science Express on 20 November 2003
Science 2 January 2004:
Vol. 303. no. 5654, pp. 68 - 70
DOI: 10.1126/science.1090920
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Reports

High-Performance Solid Acid Fuel Cells Through Humidity Stabilization

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

Although 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.

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

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

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