Chapter 7, Problem 18Q

In addition to hydrogen, methane also has been studied for use in PEM fuel cells. Balance the given oxidation and reduction half-reactions, and write the overall equation for a methane-based fuel cell.

Oxidation half-reaction:

$\begin{array}{l}\_\_{\text{CH}}_4(g)+\_\_{\text{OH}}^{-}(aq)\to \\ \_\_{\text{CO}}_2(g)+\_\_{\text{H}}_2\text{O}(l)+\_\_{\text{e}}^{-}\end{array}$

Reduction half-reaction:

$\_\_{\text{O}}_2(g)+\_\_{\text{H}}_2\text{O}(l)+\_\_{\text{e}}^{-}\to {\text{OH}}^{-}(aq)$