Abstract:
Molecular fuel production during electricity generation is an elusive challenge in the chemistry of energy devices offering tremendous possibilities in the sustainable energy landscape. We illustrate an inherent-heat-driven electrochemical cell (IHEC) where the heat of neutralization can be tapped as electromotive force for simultaneous power (∼70 mW/cm2) and molecular fuel (∼70 mL/h) production. By coupling fuel and electricity generation in the same device, IHEC offers a paradigm shift in the chemistry of energy devices by its capability to directly fuel a proton exchange membrane fuel cell without any hydrogen storage unit.