Flexible Anode Catalysts for Direct Hydrazine Fuel Cells

Abstract

In this study we report a facile approach for fabrication of flexible anode catalysts consisting of a fiber-shaped cobalt deposited on the polyimide (PI) surface for direct hydrazine fuel cells (DHFCs). At first, a thin copper layer has been deposited on the PI surface using electroless metal plating method. Then, the fiber-shaped cobalt coating has been plated by the electrochemical deposition method from the electrolyte containing CoSO4, NaOH and N-(2-Hydroxyethyl) ethylenediamine. For comparison, the cobalt layer that has the smooth structure has been deposited on the flexible PI surface via electroless deposition using morpholine borane as a reducing agent.The morphology and composition of the prepared flexible catalysts have been characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The activity of catalysts has been investigated with respect to the oxidation of hydrazine in an alkaline medium.The results of electrochemical measurements showed that the deposited cobalt layer that has a fiber-shaped structure on the flexible PI surface exhibits an enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of hydrazine as compared with that for cobalt catalyst that has a smooth structure. Moreover, the prepared flexible catalysts seem to be a promising anode material for DHFCs.