FACULTY OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Semester 3
Session 2015/2016

PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
(SKKK3233-03)

Team Members

: Muhamad Iqbal Bin Noor Azizi

A14KK0071

Muhammad Zubair Bin Nasir

A14KK0087

Nor Muhamad Bin Mohd Siddiki

A14KK0101

Muhammad Syafiq Bin Mohamed Isa

A14KK0084

Muhammad Azri Izani Bin Halim

A14KK00

Section

: 03

Lecturers

: Muhammad Tahir

Due Date

: 16 November 2015

Name: Muhamad Iqbal bin Noor Azizi

Matric No: A14KK0071
1) What is fuel cell and write reaction mechanism of fuel cell
Basically, a fuel cell is a device that converts directly the chemical energy stored in gaseous
molecules of fuel and oxidant into electrical energy. When the fuel is hydrogen the only by
products are pure water and heat. The overall process is the reverse of water electrolysis. In
electrolysis, an electric current applied to water produces hydrogen and oxygen; by reversing the
process, hydrogen and oxygen are combined to produce electricity and water (and heat). A fuel
cell can be seen with profit as a chemical factory that continuously transforms fuel energy into
electricity as long as fuel is supplied. However, unlike internal combustion engines that can be
regarded as factories as well, fuel cells rely on a chemical reaction involving the fuel, and not on
its combustion. During combustion, molecular hydrogen and oxygen bonds are broken and
electrons reconfigure into molecular water bonds at a pico second length scale. There is no
possible way to catch up these free electrons and the net energy difference between molecular
bonds in products vs. reactants can only be recovered in the most degraded form of energy, i.e.
heat. A Carnot cycle involving the transformation of heat into mechanical and electrical energy is
then involved in conventional methods for generating electricity: these successive steps of
transformation of energy severely limit the overall efficiency of the process (which is by
definition the product of the efficiency of the different steps). In a fuel cell the direct conversion
of the chemical energy of covalent bonds into electrical energy is made possible by the spatial
separation of the hydrogen and oxygen reactants by the electrolyte. The electron transfers
necessary to complete the bonding reconfiguration into water molecules occurs over a much
longer length scale. This allows direct collection of electrons as a current in fuel cells and leads
to fuel efficiencies two to three times higher than in internal combustion engines (depending on
the fuel cell technology). Unlike batteries, there is no chemical transformation of any component
of the fuel cell device during operation and it can generate power without recharging, as long as
it is being fed with fuel. The unit fuel cell structure called the membrane electrode assembly
(MEA) typically consists of an electrolyte in contact on its both sides with two electrodes, one
negative electrode (anode) and one positive electrode (cathode). Fuel is continuously fed to the
anode side and oxidant is continuously fed to the cathode side.

Fuel cell reactants are classified as fuels and oxidants on the basis on their electron donor and
electron acceptor properties. Oxidants mainly include pure oxygen and oxygen containing gases
e.g. air, or halogens e.g. chlorine. Fuels include pure hydrogen and hydrogen containing gases,
e.g. methanol, ethanol, natural gas, gasoline, biogas, diesel, etc. In the most straightforward case,
i.e. the hydrogen fuel cell the combustion of hydrogen into water is split into two
electrochemical reactions occurring at the anode and cathode, respectively, which are termed as
the two halfcell reactions:
H2 = 2 H+ + 2 e
O2 + 2 H+ + 2 e = H2O
Combination of the two halfcell reactions gives the overall combustion reaction:
H2 + O2 H2O
In any fuel cell configuration, the role of the electrolyte is crucial because it must insulate the
two halfcell reactions electrically in a strict sense while allowing the ionic passage of protons
produced at the anode to the cathode side where they will combine and form a molecule of water.
As a consequence, electrolytes are both good proton conductors and electric insulators. The third
requirement for electrolytes is impermeability to gases in order to separate the anode and the
cathode compartments, and thus prevent parasitic reactions due to gas crossover. Finally, the
electrolyte has to be chemically resistant to any reactant or product during the process. As
passage of electrons is hindered through the electrolyte, they are forced to flow another way. To
this purpose, electrodes are connected to an external electrical circuit and instead to follow
protons the electrons take this second pathway. This allows direct collection of electricity.
Depending on the type of fuel cell, the most suitable electrode materials are of various natures:
metals or oxides, catalyzed or not. They are described in the section relative to the members of
the fuel cell family. The common feature of fuel cell electrodes is a high surface area in order to
maximize each halfcell reaction zone; therefore, they are relatively porous compounds.

Name : MUHAMMAD ZUBAIR BIN NASIR

Matric No : A14KK0087
2) Write important steps to design and fabricate a fuel cell

Design of fuel cell

A fuel cell consists of two electrodes, anode and cathode, with a layer of electrolyte
between them. The electrodes are normally made flat and porous to make good contact between
the electrolyte and gases. The layer of electrolyte is made thin to allow ions to pass through it
without too much current loses. There are many types of fuel cell. The difference between them
are the reactions at the electrodes and electrolyte used.

Fuel cell stack

i) Simple series connection
A single fuel cell design very thin for purposed stated before. However, this limits the voltage
across it. A higher voltage can be achieve by connecting several cells in series which known as
stack. We can connect the edge of the anode to the cathode of the next cell. With this
configuration, the electrons have to travel across the surface of the electrode to the edge. Even if
the electordes are good conductor, there will be a voltage drop.

ii) Bipolar series connection

A better solution to construct a stack is to make the connections with bipolar plates such as
graphite or stainless steel. These plates make connections all over one cathode to the anode of the
next cell. In the bipolar plates, there are horizontal channels used to feed oxygen to the cathode
and vertical channel to feed hydrogen to anode. When assembling the stack with bipolar plates, a
solid block is formed where the current flows straight through the cells instead of across the
surface, resulting better efficiency. The design of bipolar plate is complex where a balance
between electrical contact and gas flow must be considered. To obtain low resistivity and small
stack sizarde the bipolar plate should be made thin. This results in narrow channels which make
it harder for the gas to flow around the cell.

How to build a simple fuel cell

As we know, fuel cells produce electrical energy by chemical reaction. To understand
how a fuel cell works, we can build a simple fuel cell with mostly common household materials.
Here are the steps to build fuel cell. Firstly, cut two strips of platinum or platinum coated wire.
Then, wrap the strips around a thin metal rod to make it like a spring shape. These two springs
will act as electrodes. As we know, the fuel cell contains two electrodes, one positive ( anode )
and the other one nega tive ( cathode ). Next, get the leads from a battery clip and strip the
insulation off it. Then, attach the exposed wire ends to the electrode coils. Twist each of the
battery clip leads around the end of one of the coils, leaving most of the coils free. Tape the
electrodes to a stick in a way that the electrodes sticking out, away from the stick. Place the stick
over the mouth of a glass of water. The coil electrodes should dangle into the water for most of
their length, except the side that connected to the wires from the battery clip leads. tape the stick
in place so the electrodes stay in the water. After that, connect the wires of the electrodes to a
voltmeter to see the electric current produced by the fuel cell.

Name : MUAMMAD AZRI IZANI BIN MOHAMAD HALIM

Matric No : A14KK0073
3. What types of fuels and electrolytes commonly used in a fuel cell?
Types of fuel cells:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells

Direct methanol fuel cells
Alkaline fuel cells
Phosphoric acid fuel cells
Molten carbonate fuel cells
Solid oxide fuel cells
Reversible fuel cells.

Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells

Type of fuel: Hydrogen fuel
Type of electrolyte:

Solid polymer

PEM fuel cells consist of a solid polymer as electrolyte sandwiched between an anode and
cathode. Hydrogen fuel flow to the anode on one side of fuel cell, while oxygen from air is
channeled to the cathode on the other side of the cell. Platinum catalyst split the hydrogen into
positive ion and negatively charge electrons at the anode. Positively charged ions are then
passing through PEM to the cathode. At cathode, electrons and positively charged hydrogen ions
combine with oxygen to form water, which flows out of the cell. Polymer electrolyte membrane
(PEM) fuel cells also called proton exchange membrane fuel cells that deliver high power and
offer the advantages of low weight and volume. PEM also use a solid polymer as an electrolyte
and porous carbon electrodes containing a platinum or platinum alloy catalyst.
PEM fuel cells are used commonly for the transportation applications and some stationary
applications. Due to their fast startup time and favorable power-to-weight ratio, PEM fuel cells
are particularly suitable for use in passenger transport, such as cars and buses.

Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs)

Type of fuel: Pure Methanol

Type of electrolyte: Solid polymer electrolytes in water and acid solution

Most fuel cells are powered by hydrogen, which can be fed to the fuel cell system directly or can
be generated within the fuel cell system by reforming hydrogen-rich fuels such as methanol,
ethanol, and hydrocarbon fuels. However, direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) are powered by
pure methanol, which is usually mixed with water. Then, it fed directly to the fuel cell anode.
Methanol has a higher energy density than hydrogen but less than gasoline or diesel fuel.
Methanol is also easier to transport and supply to the public using our current infrastructure
because it is a liquid, like gasoline. Cell Phone or laptop computers are some application that
used DMFCs as a power provider.

Alkaline Fuel Cells

Type of fuel: Hydrogen Fuel
Type of catalyst: Potassium Hydroxide (KOH)
Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFC) consist of alkaline electrolyte (Potassium Hydroxide) located between
an anode and a cathode. At anode, platinum catalyst split the hydrogen into positive hydrogen
ions and negatively charged electrons. Positively charged hydrogen ions react with hydroxyl
(OH-) to form water. However, electron that is negative in charge cannot flow through electrolyte
to reach cathode. So, they must flow through external circuit, thus forming an electrical current.
Electrons with oxygen and water combine to form hydroxyl ions at cathode is then move across
electrolyte toward the anode to continue the process.
Alkaline fuel cells are closely related to conventional Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel
cells, except that they use an alkaline membrane instead of an acid membrane. The
electrochemical reactions in the cell contribute to the high performance of AFCs. The
disadvantage of this fuel cell type is that carbon dioxide easily affects the cell. In fact, even the
small amount of CO2 in the air can affect this cell's operation, making it necessary to purify both
the hydrogen and oxygen used in the cell. This purification process is costly. Alkaline membrane
cells have lower susceptibility to CO2 poisoning than liquid-electrolyte AFCs do, but
performance still suffers as a result of CO2 that dissolves into the membrane.

Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFC)

Type of fuel: Hydrogen Fuel
Type of electrolyte:

Liquid phosphoric acid

A Phosphoric Acid Cells (PAFC) consists of liquid phosphoric acid electrolyte in between an
anode (negatively charged electrode) and a cathode (positively charged electrode). Hydrogen
fuel is channeled through field flow plates to the anode on one side of the fuel cell, while oxygen
from the air is channeled to the cathode on the other side of the cell. Platinum catalyst causes the
hydrogen to split into positive hydrogen ions and negatively charged electrons at the anode. The
phosphoric acid electrolyte allows only the positively charged ions to pass through it to the
cathode. The negatively charged electrons flow along an external circuit to reach cathode, thus
creating an electrical current. At the cathode, the electrons and positively charged hydrogen ions
combine with oxygen to form water and flows out of the cell.
Type of fuel cell is typically used for stationary power generation, but some PAFCs have been
used to power large vehicles such as city buses. PAFCs are more tolerant of impurities in fossil
fuels that have been reformed into hydrogen than PEM cells, which are easily effected by carbon
monoxide because carbon monoxide binds to the platinum catalyst at the anode, decreasing the
fuel cell's efficiency.
Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFC)
Type of fuel: Hydrogen Fuel
Type of electrolyte:

Molten carbonate salt mixture

A Molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) consists of an electrolyte, molten carbonate salt mixture
suspended in a ceramic matrix, located between an anode and a cathode. Hydrogen fuel is
channeled through field flow plates to the anode on one side of the fuel cell, while oxygen from
the air, carbon dioxide, and electricity (electrons from the fuel cell circuit) are channeled to the
cathode on the other side of the cell. At the cathode, the oxygen, carbon dioxide, and electrons
react to form negatively charged carbonate ions and positively charged oxygen ions. Formation
of water and carbon dioxide with electrons cause by the combination of hydrogen and the
carbonate ions. This flow of electrons through external circuit to the cathode forms an electrical

current. This is because electrolyte does not allow electrons pass through it. Then carbon dioxide
formed at the anode is often recycled back to the cathode.
MCFCs are currently being developed for natural gas and coal-based power plants for electrical
utility, industrial, and military applications.

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC)

Type of fuel: Hydrogen Fuel
Type of electrolyte:

Non porous metal oxide (zirconium oxide)

It is consists of a non-porous metal oxide electrolyte (typically zirconium oxide) placed between
an anode and a cathode. The processes begin when hydrogen fuel is channeled through field flow
plates to the anode on one side of the fuel cell, while oxygen from the air is channeled to the
cathode on the other side of the cell. Catalyst causes electrons from the electrical circuit to
combine with oxygen to create negatively charged oxygen ions at the cathode. At the anode, the
catalyst causes the hydrogen to react with the oxygen ions forming water and free electrons. The
negatively charged electrons flow through an external circuit as they cannot flow through the
electrolyte, forming an electrical current. Then, at the cathode, the electrons combine with
oxygen to create negatively charged oxygen ions, and the process repeats. Solid oxide fuel cells
(SOFCs) use a hard, non-porous ceramic compound as the electrolyte.
Reversible Fuel Cells
Type of fuel:
Type of electrolyte:
Reversible fuel cells produce electricity from hydrogen and oxygen that generate heat and water
as byproducts, just like other fuel cells. However, reversible fuel cell systems can also use
electricity from solar power, wind power, or other sources to split water into oxygen and
hydrogen fuel through a process called electrolysis. Reversible fuel cells can provide power
when needed, but during times of high power production from other technologies (such as when
high winds lead to an excess of available wind power), reversible fuel cells can store the excess

energy in the form of hydrogen. This energy storage capability could be a key enabler for
intermittent renewable energy technologies.

Name : NOR MUAMAD BIN MOHD SIDDIKI

Matric No : A14KK0101

4) How the efficiency of a fuel cell should be enhaned

Fuel cell
1) Good catalyst ( covering cathod / anode)
- provide more H+ and able pass ir efficiently
- resist electron, so that H+ can travel to membrane

2) Membrane
-seperate fuel from oxygen
- cannot be oxidized easily
- only able to be pass by H+ only
- working on high temperature and lower hmdity

Name : MUHAMMAD SYAFIQ BIN MOHD ISA

Matric No : A14KK0084

5) Give a detail explanation about classification and application of fuel cell

Classification of fuel cells

1) Direct fuel cell

- Hydrogen is fed directly as fuel at the cathode
- Can be done at low temperature (25-100C), intermediate (100-500C), or high
temperature (above 500C)
2) Indirect fuel cell
- When fuel is reformed by using reformer it is known as reformer fuel cells
- Work as same as direct fuel cell, except that hydrogen is produce in a separate
location, called a reformer, and then injected into the fuel cell (e.g.: extract hydrogen
-

from hydrocarbon)
Biochemical fuel cells use bacteria, enzymes and algae as catalyst for a reaction to
generate the current by forcing electron produce work/electric potential

3) Regenerative fuel cell

- fuel is used again and again through regeneration
- Fuel is regenerated from the products by thermal, electrical, photochemical or
radiochemical methods.

Application of fuel cells

1) Stationary
Stationary fuel systems are the most common in hospitals, nursing facilities, hotels, and schools.
Provide supplemental power or backup assurance for critical areas. Stationary systems are also
used to provide power for cellular towers, for landfills and wastewater treatment plants, and in
breweries and wineries. In breweries, landfills, and wastewater treatment, the waste gas from
fermentation can be harnessed to power stationary fuel cells, making these applications highly
efficient.
Stationery fuel systems are among the most efficient of all fuel cell installations. They achieve a
40% fuel to electricity efficiency using hydrocarbon fuels. The efficiency is often increased
through the process of cogeneration, which uses the waste heat of these systems to provide
heating for the buildings and for hot water. This can reduce overall fuel costs for heating by 20 to
40%, which increases the overall efficiency of the system to as high as 85%.

2) Transportation
There are few commercial applications of fuel cells in vehicles. While almost all major
automotive manufacturers have a fuel cell vehicle under development or in testing, most predict
that it will be 2020 or later before these vehicles are commercially viable.
The focus of fuel cells for transportation has generally been on hydrogen fuel cells. The reason
for this revolves around the operating characteristics of the cells, which includes relatively low
cost to produce, low temperature operation, and zero emissions. Unfortunately, hydrogen
presents several problems in terms of transport and storage, making it the major impediment to
the large scale production of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Currently, the most successful application of fuel cells and transport is for forklifts. Most
forklifts cannot produce substantial emissions because they are used indoors, making them a key

target for low emissions energy production. Prior to fuel cells, most forklifts utilized batteries,
but maintenance and cost issues surrounding batteries opened this niche up to methanol and
ethanol based fuel cells.

3) Portable Power
Portable fuel cells are finding use in military applications, camping, and for remote power. Fuel
cells are generally lighter and easier to transport than internal combustion generators. They are
also quieter and produce fewer emissions.

4) Micro Power (future use)

Fuel cells have high electrical capacity that has a tendency to replace batteries on devices.
Several companies have demonstrated fuel cells that can power mobile phones for up to 30 days
and laptops for greater than 20 hours. Micro fuel cells may become common in the near future to
power everything from pagers to video recorders and portable power tools. Most of these fuel
cells run on methanol, but some run on pure hydrogen derived either from the reaction between
water and aluminum or from hydrolysis of water.