Imaging concentration fields in microfluidic fuel cells as a mass transfer characterization platform

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel imaging technique using transmitted visible spectroscopy to measure reactant concentration fields in microfluidic fuel cells, enabling real-time analysis of mass transfer and reaction kinetics.

Contribution

It develops an integrated imaging and analytical approach to measure mass diffusivity and kinetic rates in microfluidic fuel cells during operation.

Findings

First-time simultaneous measurement of mass transport and transfer coefficients.

Validated imaging technique correlates light intensity to reactant concentration.

Provides data for improved numerical modeling of MFC performance.

Abstract

Microfluidic fuel cells (MFCs) are microfluidic electrochemical conversion devices that are used to power small pieces of electrical equipment. Their performance relies on the improvement of the mass transfer of the reactants at the electrode interface. {In this work, a MFC is developed to implement a novel imaging technique that allows the measurement of reactant concentration fields, featuring formic acid as the fuel and potassium permanganate as the oxidant. The concentration fields were imaged } based on transmitted visible spectroscopy, which links the light intensity passing through the MFC to its local reactant concentration. {An analytical model was developed to estimate the mass diffusivity and kinetic reaction rate coefficient. For the first time, mass transport and transfer coefficient were simultaneously measured during operation. These parameters estimated using the proposed technique can be implemented in a numerical model to predict the MFC performance and concentration distribution. This work paves the way toward advanced imaging tools for operando mass transfer characterizations in microfluidics and Tafel kinetic characterization in many electrochemical devices.