Modern cells and batteries:

There are 3 types of electrochemical cells where electricity is generated by redox reactions 1) Non-rechargable cells: Provides electricity until the chemicals have reacted away. 2) Rechargable cells: The chemicals react providing electricity until they have reacted away. The difference is that the chemicals can be regenerated by reversing the flow of electrons during charging. Example; Lead cell batteries. 3) Fuel cells: A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy of a fuel (hydrogen, natural gas, methanol, gasoline, etc.) and an oxidant (air or oxygen) into electricity. In principle, a fuel cell operates like a battery. Unlike a battery however, a fuel cell does not run down or require recharging. It will produce electricity and heat as long as fuel and an oxidizer are supplied.

Fuel cells:
The fuels used are hydrogen, alcohol like methanol, natural gas. They are oxidized by oxygen or oxidizing agents. A fuel cell system which includes a "fuel reformer" can utilize the hydrogen from any hydrocarbon fuel - from natural gas to methanol, and even gasoline. Since the fuel cell relies on chemistry and not combustion, emissions from this type of a system would still be much smaller than emissions from the cleanest fuel combustion processes.

The hydrogen fuel cell: The modern fuel cell uses hydrogen and oxygen to create a
voltage. The ion conducting membrane contains OH-.. The fuel (hydrogen) and oxygen flow into the cell. This produces electricity:

The half equations: 2 H2O(l) + 2e- H2(g) + 2OH-(aq) O2(g) + H2O(l) + 2e- 2OH-(aq) -0.83V +0.40V

Overall equation:
H2(g) + 1/2O2(g) H2O(l) Emf = + 1.23V The products flow out of the cell. .

If the ion conducting membrane contains H+ instead of OH-, then the following equations take place. However, the final reaction is same.
Anode Reaction: 2H2 => 4H+ + 4eCathode Reaction: O2 + 4H+ + 4e- => 2H2O Overall Cell Reaction: 2H2 + O2 => 2H2O Storage of hydrogen As a gas it is very difficult to store in a tank like liquids, strategies are being developed for the storage of hydrogen: 1)Under pressure: Hydrogen can be stored as a liquid under pressure. Very low temperatures are required to keep them as liquids

2)Adsorbed onto a solid surface: Like a catalyst the solid adsorb and holds Hydrogen molecules in place. This means that the hydrogen molecules occupy a smaller volume than as a gas. 3)Absorbed within a solid : Similar to before, the hydrogen molecules absorb into the material meaning that the hydrogen occupies a smaller volume. Limitations of hydrogen fuel cells: *Large scale storage and transportation of hydrogen. *Feasibility of storing a pressurised liquid. *Fuel cells have a limited lifespan. *Expensive.. *The hydrogen economy: Hydrogen is the most common element in the universe. However, hydrogen does not naturally exist on Earth in its elemental form. Engineers and scientists must produce pure hydrogen from hydrogen compounds, including fossil fuels (using a reformer) or water (electrolysis). In order to extract hydrogen from these compounds, you have to exert energy. The required energy may come in the form of heat, electricity or even light which increases global warmng. Methanol-based fuel cell as an alternative to hydrogen: Methanol is highly toxic and flammable liquid. It can be made from renewable sources like wood and other biomass. This cell relies upon the oxidation of methanol on a catalyst layer to form carbon dioxide. Water is consumed at the anode and is produced at the cathode. Protons (H+) are transported across the proton exchange membrane to the cathode where they react with oxygen to produce water. Electrons are transported through an external circuit from anode to cathode, providing power to connected devices. The half-reactions are: Equation Anode (ox.) CH3OH + H2O CO2 + 6 H+ +6e Cathode (red.) Overall reaction redox reaction 3/2 O2 + 6H+ + 6e 3H2O CH3OH + 3/2 O2 CO2 + 2 H2O

Currently, platinum is used as a catalyst for both half-reactions. This contributes to the loss of cell voltage potential, as any methanol that is diffuses into the cathode chamber will oxidize. If another catalyst could be found for the reduction of oxygen, the problem of methanol crossover would likely be significantly lessened. Furthermore, platinum is very expensive and contributes to the high cost per kilowatt of these cells. Advantages: 1) Liquids are easier to store than gases 2) Methanol can be produced from biomass

Problems: 1) Only generate a small amount of power 2) Produce CO2 Advantages of fuel cell vehicles: 1) Water is a product. 2) Less CO2 produced 3) Normal hydrocarbons produce CO which needs to be removed by catalytic converters 4) Fuel cells are about 40 - 60% efficient whereas burning hydrocarbons (fossil fuels) are about 20% efficient. 5) Fossil fuels produce pollution and are non-renewable.