energies 14 03381

Abstract

Membraneless microfluidic fuel cells (MMFCs) are being studied extensively as an al- ternative to batteries and conventional membrane fuel cells because of their simple functioning and lower manufacturing cost. MMFCs use the laminar flow of reactant species (fuel and oxidant) to eliminate the electrolyte membrane, which has conventionally been used to isolate anodic and cathodic half-cell reactions. This review article summarizes the MMFCs with six major categories of flow configurations that have been reported from 2002 to 2020. The discussion highlights the critical factors that affect and limit the performance of MMFCs. Since MMFCs are diffusion-limited, most of this review focuses on how different flow configurations act to reduce or modify diffusive mixing and depletion zones to enhance the power density output. Research opportunities are also pointed out, and the challenges in MMFCs are suggested to improve cell performance and make them practical in the near future.

Key findings

• ▸MMFCs are being studied as an alternative to batteries and conventional membrane fuel cells due to their simple functioning and lower manufacturing cost.
• ▸The performance of MMFCs is diffusion-limited, and flow configurations play a critical role in enhancing power density output.
• ▸Research opportunities and challenges in MMFCs are identified to improve cell performance and make them practical in the near future.

Keywords

Identifiers

Journal

energies Review

Year

2002