Direct borohydride/peroxide fuel cells using Prussian Blue cathodes

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 208; pp. 131 - 137
• Main Authors: Santos, D.M.F., Saturnino, P.G., Lobo, R.F.M., Sequeira, C.A.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15-06-2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Direct borohydride fuel cell; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Hydrogen peroxide electroreduction; Prussian Blue catalyst; Sodium borohydride electrooxidation; Hydrogen peroxide electroreduction; Prussian Blue catalyst; Sodium borohydride electrooxidation; Direct borohydride fuel cell; Performance evaluation; Power density; Alkaline electrolyte fuel cells; Hydrogen peroxide; Anode; Coatings; Sodium hydroxide; Sulfonate copolymer; Chemical reduction; Tetrafluoroethylene copolymer; Platinum; Man machine relation; Borohydride fuel cell; Oxidation; Peak power; Sodium Hydroborates; Fuel cell; Cathode; Coated material; Operating conditions; Catalyst; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2012.02.016

► Direct borohydride fuel cell with Pt anode and Prussian Blue (PB)-coated Pt cathode. ► Influence of temperature and fuel (NaBH4+NaOH) and oxidant (H2O2+HCl) compositions. ► Best conditions at 55°C, with 1.0M NaBH4+4.0M NaOH and 5.0M H2O2+1.5M HCl. ► PB improves performance of DBFC as compared to single Pt cathode electrocatalyst. ► DBFC using PB cathode attains peak power densities up to 200mWcm−2.
Direct borohydride fuel cells (DBFCs) are receiving much attention during the last decade. Many researchers are now focused on DBFCs operating on sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as the fuel and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as the oxidant. In the present work, direct NaBH4/H2O2 fuel cells consisting of platinum (Pt) anodes, a Prussian Blue (PB)-coated Pt or a Pt cathode, and a Nafion N117 membrane as the separator, are assembled. The effect of different operational conditions, namely the fuel (NaBH4+NaOH) and oxidant (H2O2+HCl) compositions, as well as the operation temperature, on the performance of these DBFCs is investigated. The obtained results are evaluated and the most suitable conditions for the operation of these NaBH4/H2O2 systems are proposed. The use of the PB-coated electrode can lead to up to a 50% increase in the peak power density, as compared to the cell using a single Pt cathode. At 65°C, the DBFC using the PB-modified electrode attained over 200mWcm−2, at a cell voltage of 0.8V.