Development of a fiber-based membraneless hydrogen peroxide fuel cell

Abstract

In this paper, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibers have been suggested as a viable substrate for flexible and implantable electrochemical devices. PVDF electrospun nanofibers exhibit excellent mechanical properties, flexibility, chemical stability, and biocompatibility, making them a potential option in the development of implant fuel cells. This paper presents a membraneless hydrogen peroxide fuel cell that is fabricated to demonstrate the possibility of using these nanofibers as the substrate for electrochemical devices. An open circuit potential of 0.65 V was achieved for the cell fabricated using Prussian Blue (PB) as the cathode material and nickel and aluminium as the anode materials. The power produced by the cell was ∼1 mW cm⁻² at 0.32 V. The results presented compare favourably with available power generators reviewed in the literature. Based on the proof of concept demonstration; PVDF electrospun nanofibers can be successfully used for implantable electrochemical devices such as bio-fuel cells and self-sustained point-of-care diagnostic systems.