A simple direct borohydride fuel cell with a cobalt phthalocyanine catalyzed cathode

Carbon supported Fe–Co nanoparticles with enhanced activity and BH4− tolerance used as a cathode in a passive air breathing anion exchange membrane direct borohydride fuel cell

A highly active nanocatalyst, Fe₅₀–Co₅₀/C, for the ORR was introduced, which exhibits excellent tolerance toward NaBH₄ electrooxidation in DBFC.

Catalytic Activity of Tetranitro-Copper Phthalocyanine Supported on Carbon Nanotubes towards Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Acid-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube (AF-MWCNT)-supported tetranitro-copper phthalocyanine (TNCuPc) assemblies were prepared by solid phase synthesis method. The products were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and XRD. The electrocatalytic activity of the obtained AF-MWCNT-supported TNCuPc assemblies was measured by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and rotating disk electrode (RDE) techniques in an oxygen-saturated 0.1 M KOH. The results showed that the catalytic activity of TNCuPc/AF-MWCNTs towards oxygen reduction was a two-step, two-electron process for oxygen reduction.

A direct borohydride fuel cell with a polymer fiber membrane and non-noble metal catalysts

Polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM) and Pt-based catalysts are two crucial components which determine the properties and price of fuel cells. Even though, PEM faces problem of fuel crossover in liquid fuel cells such as direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) and direct borohydride fuel cell (DBFC), which lowers power output greatly. Here, we report a DBFC in which a polymer fiber membrane (PFM) was used, and metal oxides, such as LaNiO₃ and MnO₂, were used as cathode catalysts, meanwhile CoO was used as anode catalyst. Peak power density of 663 mW·cm⁻² has been achieved at 65°C, which increases by a factor of 1.7–3.7 compared with classic DBFCs. This fuel cell structure can also be extended to other liquid fuel cells, such as DMFC.