Optimization of the magnesium-solution phase catholyte semi-fuel cell for long duration testing

A magnesium semi-fuel cell (Mg-SFC) was investigated as an energetic electrochemical system for low rate, long endurance undersea vehicle applications. This electrochemical system uses a Mg anode, a sea water electrolyte, a Nafion membrane, a carbon paper cathode catalyzed with Pd and Ir, and a catholyte of hydrogen peroxide in a sea water/acid electrolyte. Unique to the approach described here is the use of a magnesium anode together with the introduction of the catholyte in solution with the sea water, thus operating as a semi-fuel cell as opposed to a battery. Five critical operating parameters were optimized using a Taguchi matrix experimental design. Using these optimized conditions, high voltage and high efficiencies were obtained during long duration tests.