Formic acid oxidation by carbon-supported palladium catalysts in direct formic acid fuel cell

Abstract

The oxidation of formic acid by the palladium catalysts supported on carbon with high surface area was investigated. Pd/C catalysts were prepared by using the impregnation method. 30 wt% and 50 wt% Pd/C catalysts had a high BET surface area of 123.7 m2/g and 89.9 m2/g, respectively. The fuel cell performance was investigated by changing various parameters such as anode catalyst types, oxidation gases and operating temperature. Pd/C anode catalysts had a significant effect on the direct formic acid fuel cell (DFAFC) performance. DFAFC with Pd/C anode catalyst showed high open circuit potential (OCP) of about 0.84 V and high power density at room temperature. The fuel cell with 50 wt% Pd/C anode catalyst using air as an oxidant showed the maximum power density of 99 mW/cm2. On the other hand, a fuel cell with 50 wt% Pd/C anode catalyst using oxygen as an oxidant showed a maximum power density of 163 mW/cm2 and the maximum current density of 590 mA/cm2 at 60 °C.