The combustion reaction for the pentane-oxygen fuel cell is:
C5H12(g)+8O2(g)→5CO2(g)+6H2O(l)
First, we calculate the standard Gibbs free energy change (ΔGreaction∘) for the reaction:
ΔGreaction∘=∑ΔGf∘(products)−∑ΔGf∘(reactants)
ΔGreaction∘=[5×ΔGf∘(CO2)+6×ΔGf∘(H2O)]−[ΔGf∘(C5H12)+8×ΔGf∘(O2)]
ΔGreaction∘=[5×(−394.4)+6×(−237.2)]−[−8.2+8×0]
ΔGreaction∘=[−1972.0−1423.2]−[−8.2]
ΔGreaction∘=−3395.2+8.2=−3387.0 kJ mol−1=−3387000 J mol−1
Next, we determine the number of electrons transferred (n) in the balanced redox reaction.
The oxidation state of Carbon in C5H12 is −12/5=−2.4.
The oxidation state of Carbon in CO2 is +4.
Change in oxidation state for one C atom = +4−(−2.4)=+6.4
Total change for 5 C atoms = 5×6.4=32 electrons.
Thus, n=32.
Now, we use the relationship between ΔG∘ and Ecell∘:
ΔG∘=−nFEcell∘
Ecell∘=−nFΔG∘
Ecell∘=−32×96500 C mol−1−3387000 J mol−1
Ecell∘=30880003387000≈1.0968 V