A direct borohydride–peroxide fuel cell using a Pd/Ir alloy coated microfibrous carbon cathode

Abstract

A direct borohydride fuel cell with a Pd/Ir catalysed microfibrous carbon cathode and a gold-catalysed microporous carbon cloth anode is reported. The fuel and oxidant were NaBH4 and H2O2, at concentrations within the range of 0.1–2.0 mol dm-3 and 0.05–0.45 mol dm-3, respectively. Different combinations of these reactants were examined at 10, 25 and 42 oC. At constant current density between 0 and 113 mA cm-2, the Pd/Ir coated microfibrous carbon electrode proved more active for the reduction of peroxide ion than a platinised-carbon one. The maximum power density achieved was 78mWcm2 at a currentdensity of 71 mA cm-2 and a cell voltage of 1.09 V