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. Hence we can further modify the cathode fuel, and we can use hydrogen peroxide let the open-circuit voltage (OCV) became to 2.87~3.02V. Hydrogen peroxide have the advantage of higher current density, increase reaction rate, and overcome the traditional oxygen reduction over-potential problem. 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 electrodeposition fabrication to prepare the anode catalysts (Au/C or Au alloy) and the cathode catalysts (Pd/C or Pd alloy). And we also can use 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:PB9907-1716
External Project ID:NSC99-2221-E182-045