Chemistry 1010
Fuel Cells and Toothpaste
Fuel Cell
• A fuel cell is a device that converts fuel (Hydrogen Gas) to water
• If the electron transfer portion of the reaction is separated, the electron can be used as electricity
• A fuel cell produces a current
like a battery as long as
fuel is supplied
How a Fuel Cell Works
H+
H+
H+
H+
O2
O2O2
OH2O2
H2
platinumcatalyst
ElectrolyteMembrane
e-e- e-
e- e-
e-
H2
+H22 2
How a Fuel Cell Works
1. Hydrogen (H2) enters one side of the cell and is converted to H+ and electrons by a catalyst
2. The Electrons travel through the wire where they can be used in devices
3. Hydrogen ions (H+) travel through a membrane to the other side of the cell.
4. Oxygen (O2) enters from the opposite side of the cell where
5. The O2, H+, and electrons react to produce water
Fuel Cells Are Used In Space
• Both Gemini and Apollo spacecraft obtained electrical power from hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells
For space applications, fuel cells are better, they produce several times as much energy per equivalent unit of weight
The other advantage of a fuel cell is that the product produced is water which the astronauts use to Drink
Why Don’t We Use Fuel Cells Everywhere??
Fuel Cells require a large volume of hydrogen gas
The fuel cells on the space crafts weighted 500 pounds
This is difficult to put on a car as a fuel tank
So….. Any Ideas to Solve the problem…… What about those nanotubes talked about in the text book????
Use of Nanotubes to store Hydrogen
What is Toothepase Made of???Substance Purpose
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Detegent
Sodium Monofluorophosphate Decay Prevention
Glycerin Moistener
Water Consistency
Calcium Carbonate Mild Abrasive
Hydrated Silica Mild Abrasive
Xylitol Flavor
Carrageenan Thickener
Oil of Wintergreen Flavor
The Detergent In Toothpaste
This long carbon chain is good at mixing with oils and non-polar scum on the teeth
This polar sulphate end is good at dissolving in water and pulling the carbon chain and scum down the drain
The Workhorse in Toothpaste
• Hydrated Silica
• Calcium Carbonate
Image from: Yahoo Images
These tiny bits of sand grind away at the teeth scouring the plaque and other materials
Preventing Tooth Decay
Sodium Monofluorophosphate
MFP is best known as an ingredient in toothpaste. It is used to protect tooth enamel from attack by bacteria that cause cavities. It was developed by a chemist at Procter and Gamble and was placed in Crest toothpaste in the 1980’s.
Tooth decay is prevented primarily because of the fluorine which inhibits the bacteria’s ability to cause tooth decay
Tooth Paste Flavors
Peppermint
O
spearmint
What do All those lines Mean
Look at all the forms of Hexane (C6H14)
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