This article provides an up-to-date perspective on the use of anion-exchange membranes in fuel cells, electrolysers, redox flow batteries, reverse electrodialysis cells, and bioelectrochemical systems (e.g. microbial fuel cells). The aim is to highlight key concepts, misconceptions, the current state-of-the-art, technological and scientific limitations, and the future challenges (research priorities) related to the use of anion-exchange membranes in these energy technologies. All the references that the authors deemed relevant, and were available on the web by the manuscript submission date (30th April 2014), are included.

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Anion-exchange membranes in electrochemical energy systems

Direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) are attracting increasing interest as power sources for portable applications due to some unquestionable advantages over analogous devices fed with hydrogen.1 Alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol, and glycerol, exhibit high volumetric energy density, and their storage and transport are much easier as compared to hydrogen. On the other hand, the oxidation kinetics of any alcohol are much slower and still H2-fueled polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEMFCs) exhibit superior electrical performance as compared to DAFCs with comparable electroactive surface areas.2,3 Increasing research efforts are therefore being carried out to design and develop more efficient anode electrocatalysts for DAFCs.

Palladium-Based Electrocatalysts for Alcohol Oxidation in Half Cells and in Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells

Hollow micro-/nano-structured materials are now playing an important role in cutting edge innovations for energy conversion and storage technologies such as solar cells, fuel cells, lithium ion batteries and super capacitors. These materials show great promise in addressing growing environmental concerns for cleaner power sources at a time of increasing global demand for energy. In this perspective, we show that complex multi-shelled micro-/nano-materials show significant material advantages in many applications over conventional simple hollow structures. We also summarize the vast array of synthetic strategies used to create multi-shelled hollow structures, and discuss the possible application of these novel materials for power generation and storage. Finally, the emergent challenges and future developments of multi-shelled hollow structures are further discussed.

Recent advances in micro-/nano-structured hollow spheres for energy applications: From simple to complex systems

Feng Ping Hu

Papers

Improved performance of Pd electrocatalyst supported on ultrahigh surface area hollow carbon spheres for direct alcohol fuel cells

High-performance biofuel cell made with hydrophilic ordered mesoporous carbon as electrode material

Ethanol oxidation on hexagonal tungsten carbide single nanocrystal-supported Pd electrocatalyst

Anchoring metal nanoparticles on hydrofluoric acid treated multiwalled carbon nanotubes as stable electrocatalysts