Abstract

In this paper the results on fabrication technology, structural, luminescent and electrical characteristics of Ag/PS/Si structures as direct ammonia fuel cells are reported. Here nano- Porous Silicon (PS) acts as proton conducting membrane, Ag as catalyst layer. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), electrical, Photoluminescence (PL) measurements and performance characteristics of Ag/PS/Si cells were studied. Generation of electricity was observed for Ag/PS/Si cells placed in ammonia solution in the range 0-25% at room temperature. Ag/PS/Si cells exhibited the open-circuit voltage of 0.59V and peak power density of 47.2μW/cm2 with ammonia solution of 25% as fuel at room temperature. Mechanisms of generation of the electricity in Ag/PS/Si cells, exposed directly hydrogen-containing composition as fuel are considered. The advantage of investigated direct ammonia fuel cells consists in simplicity of fabrication technology, which can be integrated into standard silicon micro fabrication and operation of cells at room temperature.

Keywords:Ag/porous silicon/Si fuel cell; Ammonia electrolyte; Power density; Open-circuit voltage

Abbreviations: XRD: X-Ray Diffraction; PEM: Polymer Electrolyte Membrane; PS: Porous Silicon; PL: Photoluminescence