UCF researchers unveil advanced ethanol fuel cell technology

Researchers from the University of Central Florida (UCF) have set a new record in power density for ethanol fuel cells, positioning the technology as a formidable rival to traditional fossil fuels and electric car batteries. 

Ethanol fuel cells, known for their cleaner emissions compared to fossil fuels, eliminate the need for charging times, a common limitation with electric vehicle batteries. UCF’s NanoScience Technology Center Associate Professor, Yang Yang, and his team have crafted innovative catalysts, enhancing the longevity and power density of direct ethanol fuel cells.

Traditionally, biomass-derived ethanol undergoes a conversion process to become a viable fuel. This conversion often involves blending with gasoline to achieve optimal efficiency. However, direct ethanol fuel cells introduced by Yang’s team allow for a straightforward conversion of ethanol into electricity with remarkable efficiency. This breakthrough could revolutionise the powering of vehicles and the creation of near-silent electric power generators, beneficial for both defense and residential applications.

The enhanced power density of these direct ethanol fuel cells means they can deliver more power in a compact space, crucial for applications like vehicular power sources where efficiency is paramount.

“Our findings enable direct ethanol fuel cells to rival hydrogen-fuel cells and batteries in various sustainable energy domains,” Yang commented. “Our approach to directly convert ethanol into electricity is both energy-positive and results in negative emissions.”

In their research published in Nature Communications, the team introduced a novel materials design principle. This design utilised palladium nanoparticles semi-embedded into graphitic shells, covered on cobalt nanoparticles’ surface. This unique structure, when tested, showcased increased power density and consistent operation, surpassing current commercial catalysts.

Another study in Joule highlighted the team’s achievement of a power density nearing 0.8 watts per square centimeter using a newly designed high-entropy alloy catalyst. This catalyst addresses challenges related to slow reactions and high energy demands.

Yang and his team are now focusing on enhancing the power density of direct ethanol fuel cells and exploring commercialisation avenues.

Yang, affiliated with UCF’s NanoScience Technology Center and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, is also a member of UCF’s Renewable Energy and Chemical Transformation (REACT) Cluster. Before joining UCF, Yang was associated with Rice University and the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany.