Studies on noble metal-free carbon-based cathodes for magnesium–hydrogen peroxide fuel cells

The magnesium–hydrogen peroxide (Mg–H2O2) fuel cell is developed using a noble metal-free carbon-based cathode. Carbon felt and carbon cloth are used as a cathode, and the performance was evaluated in a single cell of 30 cm2 electrode area with aq. NaCl as an anolyte and acidified hydrogen peroxide solution as a catholyte. The influence of hydrogen peroxide, sulfuric acid concentration, operating temperature, and flow rate on the performance of Mg–H2O2 fuel cell is studied. Compared with carbon cloth-based cathode, a carbon felt-based cathode has shown better fuel cell performance. The maximum power density of 91 mW cm−2 is obtained with carbon felt-based cathode, and the stability of the Mg–H2O2 is tested for about 24 h.