Development of Anode and Cathode Electrcatalysts of the Direct Borohydrides Fuel Alkaline Fuel Cell

The working voltage of an operating fuel cell is around 0.7V and the theoretical open-circuit voltage (OCV) is 1.2V. The adsorbates on the surface of electrode (such as carbon monoxide,..etc.) or the metal oxide of electrode, reduce the single cell voltage and the over-voltage kill cell performance. The direct borohydrides fuel ( NaBH4 ) in an alkaline fuel cell(DBAFC) provides the open-circuit voltage (OCV) of 1.64V and the energy conversion of the high efficiency alkaline fuel cell caused by the higher current exchange density(kinetics effect) than the acidic fuel cell system in the oxygen reduction cathode. Therefore the alkaline fuel cell may use non-platinum catalyst and other options for eletrocatalysts. The microwave-assisted fabrication to prepare the anode catalysts and non-precious metal compound of macrocyclic complexes in the oxygen reduction cathode catalysts by using a structure of N-4 chelates makes this project innovative and valuable to support DBAFC operation.

Project ID:PB9808-2374
External Project ID:NSC98-2221-E182-054