ENHANCED ELECTROCHEMICAL PERFORMANCE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ALUMINUM HYDROGEN-PEROXIDE SEMI-FUEL CELL

Significant accomplishments from this research effort have defined and characterized the nature and rate of the chemical dynamics at the ano de and cathode, thus allowing the development of the aluminum/hydrogen peroxide couple as an energy-dense semi-fuel cell system. This effort has included the investigation of new aluminum alloys, development of new electrocatalysts for the hydrogen peroxide, optimization of the o perating parameters and modelling of the electrochemical performance o f the couple. Furthermore, it has demonstrated a technique that will e nhance the electrochemical properties of selected aluminum anodes, whi le controlling unwanted corrosion reactions at a tolerable level, The unique methodology described in this paper involves the use of additiv es to activate the surface of the aluminum anode-electrolyte, thus avo iding alloying, processing and heat treating, In addition to this anod e development, we have identified a novel electrocatalyst that enhance s effective and efficient electrochemical reduction of hydrogen peroxi de, thus shifting the predilection of the peroxide from parasitic deco mposition to desired high rate electrochemical reduction. The improved performance of this electrochemical couple has led to the attainment of current densities of 500 to 800 mA cm(-2), five to seven times that originally achievable at comparable cell voltages of 1.4 to 1.2. Syst em-level modelling, based on the experimental evidence reported in thi s paper, indicates that the aluminum/hydrogen peroxide couple is a ver satile and energetic electrochemical energy source.