Fuel cell uses a porous cathode through which is fed a solution of iodine in aqueous iodide solution, the anode is a hydrogen electrode. No activation polarization appears on the cathode because of the high exchange-current density of the iodine-iodide electrode

Javet, P.

English

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September 1970	 Brief 70-10246 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U .S. space program. They are issued to encourage commercial 
application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical 
Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Division, NASA, Code UT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Oxygen—Hydrogen Fuel Cell with an Iodine—Iodide Cathode: A Concept 
The electrical characteristics of the oxygen electrode 
in a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell are improved by use of 
an iodine-iodide couple. This concept for a new type 
of fuel cell is based on association of three facts: 
(1) the iodine-iodide reaction has a very high ex-
change-current density; (2) iodide ions are very 
sensitive to oxidation, expecially when exposed to 
light; and (3) a fuel-cathode-reducing iodine has a 
good chance of success. 
A fuel cell has been proposed which uses a porous 
cathode through which is fed a solution of iodine in 
aqueous iodide solution; the anode is a hydrogen 
electrode. The electrolyte coming from the cell is fed 
to a chemical reactor where iodide ions are oxidized 
by oxygen in the presence of light; the iodine in solu-
tion, formed in this reactor, is then fed to the cathode. 
The chemical reactions occurring are: 
Anodic	 2H2-4H+ + 4e -	 (1) 
Cathodic	 212 + 4e- — 4F	 (2) 
Chemical	 41 + 02 + 2H,20-.40H + 21 2 (3) 
Overall	 2H2 + 02 -- 2H 20
	
(1+2+3) 
This proposed system has two advantages: 
1. No activation polarization appears on the 
cathode, as on commonly used oxygen electrodes,
because of the very high exchange-current density of 
the iodine - iodide electrode. 
2. Oxygen and hydrogen, the fuels for the two 
electrodes, are advantageous in the matters of weight, 
price, and availability; the water produced by the 
cell reaction is easily removed. 
Notes: 
1. This development is in a conceptual stage only; 
at the time of this publication no model or proto-
type has been constructed. 
2. Requests for further information may be directed 
to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
Headquarters 
National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration 
Washington, D.C. 20546 
Reference: B70-10246 
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
Source: P. Javet et al. of 
The University of Pennsylvania 
under contract to 
NASA Headquarters 
(HQN 10379) 
Category 02 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned .rights.
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Oxygen-hydrogen fuel cell with an iodine-iodide cathode - A concept

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