Cost‐Effective Passive Ammonia Fuel Cells via Synergistic Integration of Optimized Membrane Electrode Assembly and Prototype

X Xin Ou‐Yang (Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials Ministry of Education School of Materials Science and Engineering Jilin University Changchun 130022 China) J Jun‐Yu Wu (Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials Ministry of Education School of Materials Science and Engineering Jilin University Changchun 130022 China) Z Zhao‐Hui Wang (Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials Ministry of Education School of Materials Science and Engineering Jilin University Changchun 130022 China) Z Zi‐Xuan Xiang (Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials Ministry of Education School of Materials Science and Engineering Jilin University Changchun 130022 China) Z Zi‐Han Teng (Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials Ministry of Education School of Materials Science and Engineering Jilin University Changchun 130022 China) W Wei‐Ran Wang (Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials Ministry of Education School of Materials Science and Engineering Jilin University Changchun 130022 China) X Xin Jiang W Wei‐Yi Xue (Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials Ministry of Education School of Materials Science and Engineering Jilin University Changchun 130022 China) B Bai‐Wen Zhang (Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials Ministry of Education School of Materials Science and Engineering Jilin University Changchun 130022 China) B Bao‐Guo Wang (The State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering Department of Chemical Engineering Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China) F Fei‐Fei Zhang (Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials Ministry of Education School of Materials Science and Engineering Jilin University Changchun China) J Jun‐Min Yan (Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials Ministry of Education School of Materials Science and Engineering Jilin University Changchun China)

Abstract

Abstract Passive ammonia fuel cells (PAFCs) offer modular adaptability but face dual challenges: limited power density and dependency on noble metals. Here, a comprehensive strategy is presented to address these issues through coordinated materials and system design. Pre‐oxidized nickel substrates direct the formation of β‐phase NiOOH/Ni 3 P (β‐NiOOH/Ni 3 P) heterointerfaces in anode, significantly enhancing ammonia oxidation reaction (AOR) kinetics with a high current density of 171 mA cm −2 at 0.7 V. A spinel‐structured MnCo 2 O 4 /C cathode catalyst demonstrates remarkable ammonia tolerance and outperforms Pt/C in stability. A polytetrafluoroethylene/layered double hydroxide (PTFE/LDH) composite membrane is also introduced, which effectively reduces ammonia crossover. Their integration with an optimized graphite prototype further enhances PAFCs' efficiency and stability. This synergistic multi‐phase optimization enables record‐breaking performance for non‐noble metal‐based PAFCs, achieving a peak power density (PPD) of 61 mW cm −2 and an open circuit voltage (OCV) of 0.87 V (outperforming Pt‐based PAFCs). Stable discharge can be sustained by the present PAFC for 9 h by replenishing the ammonia supply. This work establishes a prototype‐to‐performance strategy for cost‐effective PAFC, highlighting the potential of non‐noble metal catalysts in ammonia electrochemical energy conversion.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 38, Issue 6
Published January 01, 2026
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (12)

X

Xin Ou‐Yang

Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials Ministry of Education School of Materials Science and Engineering Jilin University Changchun 130022 China

J

Jun‐Yu Wu

Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials Ministry of Education School of Materials Science and Engineering Jilin University Changchun 130022 China

Z

Zhao‐Hui Wang

Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials Ministry of Education School of Materials Science and Engineering Jilin University Changchun 130022 China

Z

Zi‐Xuan Xiang

Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials Ministry of Education School of Materials Science and Engineering Jilin University Changchun 130022 China

Z

Zi‐Han Teng

Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials Ministry of Education School of Materials Science and Engineering Jilin University Changchun 130022 China

W

Wei‐Ran Wang

Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials Ministry of Education School of Materials Science and Engineering Jilin University Changchun 130022 China

X

Xin Jiang

W

Wei‐Yi Xue

Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials Ministry of Education School of Materials Science and Engineering Jilin University Changchun 130022 China

B

Bai‐Wen Zhang

Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials Ministry of Education School of Materials Science and Engineering Jilin University Changchun 130022 China

B

Bao‐Guo Wang

The State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering Department of Chemical Engineering Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China

F

Fei‐Fei Zhang

Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials Ministry of Education School of Materials Science and Engineering Jilin University Changchun China

J

Jun‐Min Yan

Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials Ministry of Education School of Materials Science and Engineering Jilin University Changchun China