Microfuel cells: Modern state and future development (Review)

Literature sources of the last 15 years were analyzed and the results were considered for the studies carried out in one of the directions of hydrogen power engineering of the most current interest: development of portable low-power fuel cells (microfuel cells, MFCs). MFCs with high power density and high efficiency are used as a basis for a new generation of power sources for various stand-alone electronic devices. The latest silicon micro- and nanotechnologies are considered, same as the technologies for obtaining nanostructured catalysts and problems regarding development of MFCs with the power of 0.5–20 W, methods of catalytic layers application in MFCs, choice of fuel, and methods of supplying it into MFCs, and MFC water managemen and temperature control. Special attention was paid to borohydride MFCs, combined (hybrid) systems, and MFCs with a mixed reagent. The results of electrochemical tests of MFC layouts are presented.