# New insights into improving acidic aluminum fuel cell for powering electrical vehicles

## TL;DR

This study improves aluminum fuel cells by using a less corrosive electrolyte and antimony to reduce hydrogen loss, enhancing power output for electric vehicles.

## Contribution

The use of antimony sulphate in acidic electrolyte to suppress hydrogen evolution and enhance Al fuel cell performance is novel.

## Key findings

- Antimony ad-atoms inhibit hydrogen evolution on aluminum surfaces in acidic conditions.
- A porous NiO-based air cathode improves cell discharge capacity and power density.
- The best cell achieved 2.4 V potential, 20.4 A/m² current density, and 30.30 kWh/kg power.

## Abstract

This study-involved novelty of high power new aluminum (Al) fuel cell in 0.1 M HCl (less corrosive and strong conductive electrolyte instead of the aggressive alkali). The performance of aluminum (Al) anode enhanced by using antimony sulphate Sb2(SO4)3 salt effective poison (in acidic solution) the parasitic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Antimony ad-atom specifically adsorbed at cathodic sites of Al surface and stopped HER via retardation of recombination of step of Hads, consequently the formation of molecular hydrogen and its release from aluminum surface. The production of sustainable electricity from AFC and maximum power density achieved by Sb adsorption and using the low cost prepared porous air cathode (sulphur-Fe2O3-doped NiO nanocomposie). Corrosion control of Al and using NiO air cathode improved cell discharge capacity. The best cell parameters obtained at 1 × 10− 5M Sb2(SO4)3 were (cell potential 2.4 V, current density 20.4 Am− 2 and electrical power 30.30 kwhkg− 1.