A sustainable alcohol fuel cell for co-generation of electricity and value-added chemicals with negative carbon emission

Abstract

It remains challenges for conversion of CO₂-derived alcohol into electrical energy while without CO₂ greenhouse gases emission. Herein, a novel sustainable CO₂-emssion free direct alcohol fuel cell (DAFC) is developed by using Pt-Au/nickel mesh anode with highly selective electrocatalytic oxidation of alcohol to acetate value-added chemicals. The DAFC demonstrate a peak power density of 72.9 mW cm⁻² and simultaneously co-synthesis 25 mol of acetate per 1 kWh of electrical energy output. This study realizes the clean and efficient use of CO₂-derived carbon-based fuels, highly selective synthesis of acetate under mild conditions and generating electricity while without CO₂ greenhouse gases emission, realizing a “negative carbon” cycle for sustainable development.