The oxidation of NaBH4 on electrochemicaly treated silver electrodes

This study is related to the development of suitable anode material for the direct borohyride fuel cells (DBFCs). The effect of electroactive Ag oxides upon the oxidation of NaBH4 was investigated. The treatment of Ag surface with H2O2 gave a granulated compact layer which was observed to give a very high current density and good reversibility at lower concentration compared with the electrode treated with NaOH which resulted a fibrous layer with a lower electrocatalytic effect. The mode of surface oxidation was found to have a profound effect upon the behavior of the electrode. It was also observed that there is an optimum NaBH4 concentration to obtain the maximum current density.