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

Recent advances in direct formic acid fuel cells (DFAFC)

Carbon supported platinum is commonly used as anode and cathode electrocatalyst in low-temperature fuel cells fuelled with hydrogen or low molecular weight alcohols. The cost of Pt and the limited world supply are significant barriers to the widespread use of these types of fuel cells. Moreover, platinum used as anode material is readily poisoned by carbon monoxide, present in the reformate gas used as H2 carrier in the case of polymer electrolyte fuel cells, and a byproduct of alcohol oxidation in the case of direct alcohol fuel cells. In addition, Pt alone does not present satisfactory activity for the oxygen reduction reaction when used as cathode material. For all these reasons, binary and ternary platinum-based catalysts and non-platinum-based catalysts have been tested as electrode materials for low temperature fuel cells. Palladium and platinum have very similar properties because they belong to the same group in the periodic table. The activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of Pd is only slightly lower than that of Pt, and by addition of a suitable metal, such as Co or Fe, the ORR activity of Pd can overcome that of Pt. Conversely, the activity for the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) of Pd is considerably lower than that of Pt, but by adding of a very small amount (5 at%) of Pt, the HOR activity of Pd attains that of pure Pt. This paper presents an overview of Pd and Pd-containing catalysts, tested both as anode and cathode materials for low-temperature fuel cells.

Palladium in fuel cell catalysis

http://chglib.icp.ac.ru/subjex/2012/pdf05/JPowSources-2010-195(11)3431.pdf

Alkaline direct alcohol fuel cells

We present here a critical review of several technologically important electrocatalytic systems operating in alkaline electrolytes. These include the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) occurring on catalysts containing Pt, Pd, Ir, Ru, or Ag, the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) occurring on Pt-containing catalysts, and the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) occurring on Ni–Co–Fe alloy catalysts. Each of these catalytic systems is relevant to alkaline fuel cell (AFC) technology, while the ORR systems are also relevant to chlor-alkali electrolysis and metal-air batteries. The use of alkaline media presents advantages both in electrocatalytic activity and in materials stability and corrosion. Therefore, prospects for the continued development of alkaline electrocatalytic systems, including alkaline fuel cells, seem very promising.

Electrocatalysis of oxygen reduction and small alcohol oxidation in alkaline media

Kinetic study of formic acid oxidation on carbon-supported platinum electrocatalyst

The influence of the oxygen-containing species on the electrooxidation of the C1–C4 alcohols at some platinum single crystal surfaces in alkaline solution

J.D. Lović

Papers

Kinetic study of formic acid oxidation on carbon-supported platinum electrocatalyst

The influence of the oxygen-containing species on the electrooxidation of the C1–C4 alcohols at some platinum single crystal surfaces in alkaline solution

Methanol oxidation at platinum electrodes in alkaline solution: comparison between supported catalysts and model systems

The effect of electrochemically treated glassy carbon on the activity of supported Pt catalyst in methanol oxidation

Kinetic and mechanistic study of hydroxyl ion electrosorption at the Pt(111) surface in alkaline media