Ammonium Formate as a Safe, Energy-Dense Electrochemical Fuel Ionic Liquid

Abstract

While solid and liquid energy carriers are advantageous due to their high energy density, many do not meet the efficiency requirements to outperform hydrogen. In this work, we investigate ammonium formate as an energy carrier. It can be produced economically via a simple reaction of ammonia and formic acid, and it is safe to transport and store because it is solid under ambient conditions. We demonstrate an electrochemical cell that decomposes ammonium formate at 105 °C, where it is an ionic liquid. Here, hydrogen evolves at the cathode and formate oxidizes at the anode, both with ca. 100% Faradaic efficiency. Under the operating conditions, ammonia evaporates before it can oxidize; a second, modular device such as an ammonia fuel cell or combustion engine is necessary for complete oxidation. Overall, this system represents an alternative class of electrochemical fuel ionic liquids where the electrolyte is majority fuel, and it results in a modular release of hydrogen with potentially zero net-carbon emissions.