Alcohol fuel cells at optimal temperatures

High-power-density alcohol fuel cells can relieve many of the daunting challenges facing a hydrogen energy economy. Here, such fuel cells are achieved using CsH2 PO4 as the electrolyte and integrating into the anode chamber a Cu-ZnO Al2 O3 methanol steam-reforming catalyst. The temperature of operation, ∼250°C, is matched both to the optimal value for fuel cell power output and for reforming. Peak power densities using methanol and ethanol were 226 and 100 mW cm2, respectively. The high power output (305 mW cm2) obtained from reformate fuel containing 1% CO demonstrates the potential of this approach with optimized reforming catalysts and also the tolerance to CO poisoning at these elevated temperatures.