Abstract

In this paper we report the results on fabrication and output characteristic of novel Direct Ammonia Fuel Cells (DAFC) based on Porous Silicon (PS)/nano-nickel catalyst structure. Output parameters of the structures were measured at Ammonia Solution (AS) concentration of 0-25%. AS/Ni/PS/Si fuel cell exhibits the open-circuit voltage of 0.85V and peak power density of 0.66mW/cm2 at ammonia solution concentration of 25% at room temperature. Inverse dependence of output power density on Ni film thickness was observed. Mechanisms of generation of the electricity, as well as Ni thickness dependence in Ni/PS/Si cells, exposed directly hydrogen-containing composition as a fuel are discussed.

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