• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
• /
• v.31 no.6
• /
• pp.587-595
• /
• 2020

Nickel-based bimetallic catalysts were investigated for use in direct borohydride/hydrogen peroxide fuel cells. For anode and cathode, PdNi and AuNi catalysts were used, respectively. Nickel-based bimetallic catalysts have been investigated through various methods, such as inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The performance of the catalysts was evaluated through fuel cell tests. The maximum power density of the fuel cell with nickel-based bimetallic catalysts was found to be higher than that of the fuel cell with the monometallic catalysts. The nickel-based bimetallic catalysts also exhibited a stable performance up to 60 minutes.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.444-452
• /
• 2020

This study investigated the cathode catalyst of direct borohydride/hydrogen peroxide fuel cells for space exploration. Various catalysts such as Au, Ag, and Ni were supported on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Various techniques, such as transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction were conducted to investigate the characteristics of the catalysts. Fuel cell tests were performed to evaluate the performance of the catalysts. Ag/MWCNTs exhibited better catalytic activity than the Ni/MWCNTs and better catalytic selectivity of the Au/MWCNTs. Ag/MWCNTs presented good catalytic activity and selectivity even at an elevated operating temperature. The performance of Ag/MWCNTs was also stable for up to 60 minutes.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.514-523
• /
• 2021

This study investigated the effect of anode fuel composition on the performance of direct borohydride/hydrogen peroxide fuel cells (DBHPFCs). The effect of sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentrations on fuel cell performance was determined through fuel cell tests. Fuel cell performance increased with an increase in the NaBH₄ concentration, whereas it decreased with an increase in the NaOH concentration. The anode fuel composition was selected as 10 wt% NaBH₄+10 wt% NaOH+80 wt% H₂O based on the fuel viscosity, electrochemical reaction rate, and decomposition reaction rate. DBHPFCs were also tested to analyze the effect of operating temperature and operation time on fuel cell performance. The present results can be used as a reference basis to determine operating conditions of DBHPFCs.