Sains Malaysiana 49(12)(2020): 3105-3115

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2020-4912-23

Analysis of Mg(OH)₂ Deposition for Magnesium Air Fuel Cell (MAFC) by Saline Water

(Analisis Pemendapan Mg(OH)₂ untukSel Bahan Api Udara Magnesium (MAFC) oleh Air Masin)

SAHRIAH BASRI¹*, NURUL SHAHZIRA HAZRI¹, SHANJEVA RAO SELLADURAI², A.M. ZAINOODIN¹, S.K. KAMARUDIN^1,2, S.U. ZAKARIA¹ & A.R. HASHIM³

¹Fuel Cell Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

²Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

³Persatuan Nelayan Kawasan Sepang, Bagan Lalang, Sungai Pelek, 43950 Sepang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Diserahkan: 5 Ogos 2020/Diterima: 11 September 2020

ABSTRACT

Magnesium air fuel cell (MAFC) systems are eco-friendly fuel cells that use electrolytes of saltwater and oxygen from the air to produce power. However, MAFC cells face a critical problem, which is the deposition of side products on the surface of the Mg anode plate and the cathode electrode. Therefore, this study will focus on the analysis of factor on Mg(OH)₂ deposition by identifying the optimal seawater, Mg alloy, and surface roughness and additives solution. Magnesium plates AZ31 are used as the anode, and air electrode as the cathode. This study also considers physical characteristics such as SEM, EDX and corrosion test while chemical characterization by performance test with difference electrolyte, anode, and roughness. Catechol-3,5-disulfonic acid disodium salt (tiron) as anti-deposition used to reduce the deposition of Mg(OH)₂ on the anode and cathode surfaces and thus improve the performance of MAFC. From the performance study, the MAFC able to produce a power density of 27.54 mW/cm² which is high compare to the MAFC without tiron. Therefore, with the active area by 110.25 cm², the MAFC generates 2.93 W. The deposition of Mg(OH)₂ reduces the active area of magnesium oxidation, thus, reduce the electricity generation. With the knowledge of optimal seawater concentration and improvement of a single fuel cell system, this study is expecting to assist the fisheries and aquaculture sector as well as the coastal communities in terms of providing a better, safer, and cheaper alternative source of electricity.

Keywords: Anti-deposition; magnesium fuel cell; saline water

ABSTRAK

Sistem sel bahan api udara magnesium (MAFC) adalah sel bahan api mesra alam yang menggunakan elektrolit air garam dan oksigen daripada udara untuk menghasilkan tenaga. Walau bagaimanapun, sel MAFC menghadapi masalah kritikal, iaitu pemendapan produk sampingan pada permukaan plat anod Mg dan elektrod katod. Oleh itu, kajian ini akan memfokuskan kepada analisis faktor pemendapan Mg(OH)₂ dengan mengenal pasti air laut, aloi Mg yang optimum dan kekasaran permukaan serta larutan aditif. Plat magnesium AZ31 digunakan sebagai anod dan elektrod udara sebagai katod. Kajian ini juga mempertimbangkan ciri fizikal seperti SEM, EDX dan ujian kakisan sementara pencirian kimia oleh ujian prestasi dengan perbezaan elektrolit, anod dan kekasaran. Garam disodium asam katekol-3,5-disulfonik (tiron) sebagai anti-pemendapan digunakan untuk mengurangkan pemendapan Mg(OH)₂ pada permukaan anod dan katod dan dengan demikian meningkatkan prestasi MAFC. Daripada kajian prestasi, MAFC mampu menghasilkan ketumpatan kuasa 27.54 mW/cm² yang tinggi berbanding dengan MAFC tanpa tiron. Oleh itu, dengan luas aktif 110.25 cm², MAFC menghasilkan 2.93 W. Pemendapan Mg(OH)₂ mengurangkan kawasan aktif pengoksidaan magnesium, sehingga mengurangkan penjanaan elektrik. Dengan pengetahuan mengenai kepekatan air laut yang optimum dan peningkatan sistem sel fuel tunggal, kajian ini diharapkan dapat membantu sektor perikanan dan akuakultur serta masyarakat pesisir daripada segi penyediaan sumber elektrik alternatif yang lebih baik, lebih selamat dan lebih murah.

Kata kunci: Air masin; anti pemendapan; sel bahan api udara magnesium

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*Pengarang untuk surat-menyurat; email: sahriah@ukm.edu.my