Nanoporous Gold Catalyst for Direct Ammonia Borane Fuel Cells

Abstract

Nanoporous gold (NPG) electrodes were fabricated in film and wire array formats by selectively dealloying Ag from Au0.18Ag0.82. The ammonia borane (AB) oxidation reaction was studied by cyclic voltammetry at the NPG electrodes. The onset potential for the oxidation at NPG in a wire array format shifted to more negative potentials than that observed at a Au disc and higher currents were realised. An onset potential of −1.30 V vs. SCE was recorded which is 0.28 V lower than that at a Au disc. The oxidation current for 20 mM AB in 1 M NaOH increased from 2.65 mA cm−2 at a Au disc to 13.1 mA cm−2 at a NPG wire array. NPG is a viable candidate as an anode catalyst for a direct ammonia borane fuel cell.

Nanoporous gold film: fabrication and role as a catalytic reactor

“…[3][4][5]27,28 To explore its novel application, herein the asprepared thin film is deliberately employed to catalyze hydrogenation reaction by selecting the reduction of p-nitrophenol by NaBH 4 as a model, which is also carried out in 1.5 ml of PPCT containing the NPG film. [3][4][5]27,28 To explore its novel application, herein the asprepared thin film is deliberately employed to catalyze hydrogenation reaction by selecting the reduction of p-nitrophenol by NaBH 4 as a model, which is also carried out in 1.5 ml of PPCT containing the NPG film.…”

Direct N2H4/H2O2 Fuel Cells Powered by Nanoporous Gold Leaves

“…This inspired us to develop an Au-based DHHPFC so that Pt can be replaced by this more easily available coinage metal. While a majority of electrocatalysts are based on supported nanoparticles, recently dealloyed porous metals such as nanoporous gold (NPG) were proven to be interesting self-supported nanostructured catalysts and electrocatalysts with some intriguing properties15161718192021. Unlike many other porous materials, dealloyed nanoporous metals possess excellent structural continuity, mechanical rigidity and conductivity, with structural dimension readily tunable from several nanometers to many microns.…”

“…Unlike many other porous materials, dealloyed nanoporous metals possess excellent structural continuity, mechanical rigidity and conductivity, with structural dimension readily tunable from several nanometers to many microns. They have demonstrated great potential for use in heterogeneous catalysis, SERS, actuator, supercapacitors, electrochemical sensors, etc15161718192021.…”

Nanoporous silver for electrocatalysis application in alkaline fuel cells

“…Then, the AB oxidation current density reaches a stable maximum value of 6,44 mA/cm 2 at about 0.3 V vs. RHE. These values are better than the ones observed for NPGold in 1 M NaOH containing higher concentration in ammonia-borane (20 mM) or NaBH 4 the onset potential for the electrooxidation of NaBH 4 : on NPGold was at best as high as ca 0.1 V vs. RHE [68], while that of AB electrooxidation could reach −0.2 V vs. RHE [19], i.e. was at best shifted positive by 0.1 V compared to the best results with the present nanoporous Ag.…”