Aqueous carbonate electrolyte fuel cells

Aqueous carbonate electrolytes for fuel cells represent another class of invariant electrolytes for use with carbonaceous fuels and/or air (containing carbon dioxide). This section reviews the development of aqueous carbonate electrolytes, their properties, and their use in fuel cells with organic fuels such as methanol. The demonstration of invariance for extended operating times is discussed. The improved oxygen reduction kinetics in these electrolytes is shown, and partially compensates for the somewhat slower kinetics of organic fuel oxidation. Reduced corrosion rates of electrocatalysts and cell construction materials are an attractive feature of these electrolytes.