The effects of hydride chemistry, particle size, and void fraction on micro fuel cell performance

Electrical discharge tests are performed on a MFC at a constant potential of 1.2 V at three particle sizes (5 μm, 20 μm, 50 μm) at a 32% initial void fraction. Tests in the MFC reveal the strong impact of particle sizes on reaction rates, and show that reaction rates decrease with increasing particle size. Reaction yields are lower (90-93%) in the MFC, which is attributed to a small hydrogen leak. The energy density of the MFC is 1003 Wh L−1, the highest reported to date.