Anthraquinone-Mediated Fuel Cell Anode with an Off-Electrode Heterogeneous Catalyst Accessing High Power Density When Paired with a Mediated Cathode

The development of processes for electrochemical energy conversion and chemical production could benefit from new strategies to interface chemical redox reactions with electrodes. Here, we employ a diffusible low-potential organic redox mediator, 9,10-anthraquinone-2,7-disulfonic acid (AQDS), to promote efficient electrochemical oxidation of H2 at an off-electrode heterogeneous catalyst. This unique approach to integrate chemical and electrochemical redox processes accesses power densities up to 228 mW/cm2 (528 mW/cm2 with iR-correction). These values are significantly greater than those observed in previous mediated electrochemical H2 oxidation methods, including those using enzymes or inorganic mediators. The approach described herein shows how traditional catalytic chemistry can be coupled to electrochemical devices.