| abstract |
The present invention provides fuel cells and fuel cell systems that include a non-aqueous electrolyte. Fuel cells according to the present invention include an anode region adapted to receive a hydrogen stream, a cathode region adapted to receive a stream containing oxygen, and an electrolytic barrier that separates the anode region from the cathode region and which contains a non-aqueous electrolyte. The non-aqueous electrolyte is preferably acidic or basic, with the electrolyte having an acid ionization constant (Ka) greater than 5x10-6 at 25 °C if the non-aqueous electrolyte is an acid and a base ionization constant (K¿b?) greater than 5x10?-6¿ at 25 °C if the non-aqueous electrolyte is a base. The fuel cell has an operating temperature of less than 300 °C, and may operate at temperatures above, at, and below 100 °C. |