AuCo/TiO2-NTs Anode Catalysts for Direct Borohydride Fuel Cells

Abstract

Gold-cobalt catalysts deposited on titania nanotubes surface (denoted as AuCo/TiO2-NTs) are studied as possible anode materials for direct borohydride/hydrogen peroxide fuel cells. The morphology and composition of the catalysts is characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy and by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. The fuel cell measurements are performed at four temperatures, in the 25–55°C range, on a lab-scale direct alkaline NaBH4-H2O2 single fuel cell. Polarization curves are recorded to evaluate the fuel cell performance using each prepared anode catalyst. The peak power density dependence on temperature is in the 87–102 mWcm−2 range for Co/TiO2-NTs catalyst and in the 163–283 mWcm−2 range for the AuCo/TiO2-NTs catalysts with Au loadings ranging from 10 to 60 μgAucm−2. The present results demonstrate that power density is raised by over 150% due to the use of AuCo/TiO2-NTs as anode catalysts.