Electrochemical Analysis of Anodic Catalysts in Direct Borohydride Fuel Cell

The electrochemical oxidation of BH4− in 2M KOH on palladium decorated (>> 1 wt. % palladium) Ni/C (PD Ni/C) and 10 wt. % Pd/C has been studied by polarization and electrochemical Impedance spectroscopy technique. Electrochemical measurements reveal that the Direct Borohydride Fuel Cell (DBFC) equipped with both catalyst 3D anode produced excellent catalytic performance. However, higher open circuit voltage and peak power density obtained on Pd/C compared to the PD Ni/C, 1010 mV vs 990 mV and 138 mW cm−2 vs. 125.8 mW cm−2 respectively at 45 °C and ambient pressure. These values are close and among the highest open circuit voltages and peak power densities reported for any air breathing passive low temperature direct borohydride fuel cells. Therefore, palladium decorated (> 1 wt. %) Ni/C can be promising catalyst for DBFCs.