Issue 11, 2021

Route towards high-performance microfluidic fuel cells: a review

Abstract

In the past twenty years, membrane-less microfluidic fuel cells (M-MFCs) have undergone a rapid development as emerging chip-based power sources. They possess enormous advantages compared to congeneric membrane-separated micro fuel cells, including low costs, simple structures, superior flexibility, and the absence of membrane-related issues. As a promising micro power source, the technology has undergone significant progress towards providing an affordable solution for powering chip-based microsystems. This review provides a broad and balanced insight into the route towards performance enhancement, starting with a general description of the technology. We analyse the power-generation properties with respect to the thermodynamics and electrochemical kinetics, including fuel/oxidant type, acid–base properties, operating temperature, and electro-catalytic reactions. Moreover, we provide much needed insight into the charge and mass transport phenomena, examining the influence of electron and ion transport, reactant concentration, fuel/electrolyte flow rate, gas–liquid two-phase flow, and the cell design based on various electrode structures and a virtual membrane. Finally, we discuss the open challenges and briefly provide guidance for future industrial M-MFCs’ applications.

Graphical abstract: Route towards high-performance microfluidic fuel cells: a review

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
25 mar 2021
Accepted
09 maj 2021
First published
19 maj 2021

Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2021,5, 2840-2859

Route towards high-performance microfluidic fuel cells: a review

Y. Zhou, X. Zhu, Y. Yang, D. Ye, R. Chen and Q. Liao, Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2021, 5, 2840 DOI: 10.1039/D1SE00447F

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