Fabrication of Flexible Catalysts for Hydrazine Electro-Oxidation

Abstract

In this study, we report a facile electrochemical approach for fabrication of flexible catalysts for the electro-oxidation of hydrazine with the aim to use them as the anode material in direct hydrazine fuel cells (DHFCs). A fiber-shaped cobalt coating has been electroplated on the copper coated polyimide surface (labeled as Cofiber/Cu/PI) using the electrolyte containing CoSO4, NaOH and N-(2-Hydroxyethyl) ethylenediamine. For comparison, the cobalt layer that has the smooth structure has been also electrodeposited on the flexible Cu/PI surface (labeled as Cosmooth/Cu/PI). Additionaly, the fabricated flexible catalysts have been decorated with gold (Au), manganese (Mn) or gold-manganese (AuMn) nanoparticles via electrochemical deposition. The morphology, structure and composition of the fabricated flexible catalysts have been characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. The activity of catalysts has been investigated with respect to the electro-oxidation of hydrazine in an alkaline medium using cyclic voltammetry and chrono-techniques.It was found that the deposition of Au, Mn or AuMn nanoparticles on Cofiber/Cu/PI and Cosmooth/Cu/PI results in significantly enhanced electrocatalytic activity of Cofiber/Cu/PI and Cosmooth/Cu/PI towards the electro-oxidation of hydrazine. Moreover, the prepared flexible catalysts seem to be a promising anode material for DHFCs.