Performance evaluation of anodic nano‐catalyst for direct methanol alkaline fuel cell

Abstract

In this study, a nano‐scale perovskite NdFeO3 (NdFeO3NPs) was synthesized with usage a rapid ultrasonic‐assisted co‐precipitation process and characterized by several techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectra, X‐ray powder diffraction, SEM and energy dispersive X‐ray. Electrochemical studies using a modified glassy carbon electrode with Pd nanoparticles (PdNPs) and NdFeO3NPs showed that the proposed multifunctional nanocatalyst can be used as an alternative catalyst toward methanol oxidation (MO). A single cell of direct methanol alkaline fuel cell was designed, assembled and tested using PdNPs‐NdFeO3NPs‐CH nanocomposites as an anodic catalyst. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 597–604, 2018 NdFeO3 perovskite nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized. Catalysts with Pd and NdFeO3 nanoparticles dispersed in chitosan were prepared. Catalytic activity of nanocatalysts toward MO was studied. A single fuel cell was designed, assembled and tested with nanocatalyst.