Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Catalysts Modified with Au-M (M = Co, Ni, Cu) Nanoparticles As the Anode Material for Direct Borohydride-Hydrogen Peroxide Fuel Cells

Abstract

Direct borohydride-hydrogen peroxide fuel cells (DBHPFCs) have several advantages such as high theoretical cell voltage (2.11-3.02 V), high energy density (12-17 kWh kg-1) and, finally, no CO poisoning during their operation. Therefore, anode material is the key factor for complete direct oxidation of borohydride. This study is focused on the synthesis of the nitrogen-doped carbon (N-doped C) catalysts supported Au-M (M = Co, Ni, Cu) nanoparticles using a rapid microwave heating method with the aim to use them as the anode material for DBHPFC. The electrocatalytic activity of the prepared M/N-doped C and Au-M/N-doped C catalysts for the borohydride oxidation reaction (BOR) was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The direct borohydride-hydrogen peroxide fuel cell was assembled using Pt as the cathode and the prepared M/N-doped C and Au-M/N-doped C catalysts as the anodes. The performance of a DBHPFC operating with 1 M NaBH4 + 4 M NaOH as fuel and 5 M H2O2 + 1.5 M HCl as an oxidant was investigated at different temperatures. It has been determined that the prepared Au-M/N-doped C catalysts have а higher activity and а better stability for the oxidation of borohydride compared to those of M/N-doped C (M = Co, Ni, Cu) catalysts. The direct borohydride-hydrogen peroxide fuel cell exhibited an open circuit voltage of cа. 1.8 V when the Au-M/N-doped C catalysts were assembled as the anodes.