Characterization of hydrogen generation for fuel cells via borane hydrolysis using an electroless-deposited Co–P/Ni foam catalyst

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 195; no. 9; pp. 2830 - 2834
• Main Authors: Eom, KwangSup, Kim, MinJoong, Kim, RyongHee, Nam, DoHwan, Kwon, HyukSang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-05-2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Ammonia borane; Applied sciences; Co–P/Ni foam catalyst; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Durability; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Electroless-deposition; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cell; Fuel cells; Hydrogen; Co–P/Ni foam catalyst; Durability; Hydrogen; Electroless-deposition; Fuel cell; Ammonia borane; Hydrolysis; Borazane; Foam; Co-P/Nifoam catalyst; Electroless plating; Hydrogen fuel cells; Catalyst
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.11.084

The effect of an electroless-deposited Co–P/Ni foam catalyst on H
2 generation kinetics in ammonia borane (NH
3BH
3) solution and the cyclic behaviour (durability) of the catalyst are investigated. The electroless-deposited Co–P is composed of an inner flat layer and outer layer that consists of an aggregate of spherical particles. The H
2 generation rate/projected area of the Co–P/Ni foam catalyst is much higher than that of a Co–P/Cu sheet catalyst. The activation energy (
E
a) for the hydrolysis of NH
3BH
3 using the Co–P/Ni foam catalyst is calculated to be 48
kJ
mol
−1. After the first cycle, the H
2 generation rate decreases dramatically, i.e., by 16%, due to a decrease in surface area caused by the partial separation of spherical Co–P particles. Between the first and sixth cycles, the H
2 generation rate decreases gradually (by 14%) on account of a decrease in the number of P atoms that create active metallic Co sites on catalytic surface. After six cycles, about 70% of the initial H
2 generation rate remains constant. The study reveals a promising means of hydrogen generation for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells.