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Research on electrochemical energy conversion systems. Final technical report, 1 Jul 1975--30 Jun 1976. [Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid electrolyte]

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7217033
The project on electrochemical energy conversion system has involved two tasks: the determination of the electrochemical behavior of low molecular weight hydrocarbons and alcohols as well as other possible fuels in aqueous trifluoromethanesulfonic acid and the examination of the electro-chemical interaction of fuel cell reactants with platinum surfaces in aqueous trifluoromethanesulfonic acid. The order of reactivity for low molecular weight alkanes was determined to be C/sub 3/H/sub 8/ greater than C/sub 2/H/sub 6/ greater than n-C/sub 4/H/sub 10/ greater than CH/sub 4/ in trifluoromethanesulfonic acid monohydrate. The same reaction order had been established previously for low molecular weight alkanes in inorganic acids such as HF, H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/, and H/sub 3/PO/sub 4/. In the case of each alkane the electrochemical activity in the sulfonic acid was significantly greater than that in phosphoric acid under the same conditions. The electrooxidation of each alkane was evaluated over the temperature range from 95 C to 135 C. The experimental data collected during this reporting period confirm the previous finding that trifluoromethanesulfonic acid monohydrate represents an improved electrolyte for the hydrocarbon-air fuel cell.
Research Organization:
American Univ., Washington, DC
OSTI ID:
7217033
Report Number(s):
AD-A-034454
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English