Porous Carbon as Anode Catalyst Support to Improve Borohydride Utilization in a Direct Borohydride Fuel Cell

Abstract

Our study explores the use of porous carbon as anode catalyst support to improve borohydride utilization in a direct borohydride fuel cell. Pt catalysts supported by carbon aerogel (CA) and macroporous carbon (MPC) are synthesized by template method. The pores in porous carbon materials catch hydrogen bubbles to regulate the contact of anolyte with catalytic sites, and this leads to the depression of hydrogen evolution during BH 4 -electrooxidation. However, the hydrogen bubbles in the pores simultaneously deteriorate charge carrier transport and thus increase anode polarization. The CA-supported Pt catalyst improves the coulombic efficiency of BH 4 -electrooxidation. However, the MPC-supported Pt catalyst performed better than the CA-supported Pt catalyst. MPC also has a good pore distribution, which improves the coulombic efficiency of BH 4 -electrooxidation without decreasing anode performance.

Control of hydrogen release during borohydride electrooxidation with porous carbon materials

“…4). 55 This article focuses on reviewing various carbon materials as substrates for DBFC anode catalyst to provide better insight into factors affecting catalyst performance as well as hydrogen evolution.…”

“…5b). 55 Nevertheless, it should be emphasized, that a large number of micropores in a carbon support can expand the active area of catalyst. Bai et al 61 noted that as the Pt loading increases, the BET surface area decreases.…”

“…Fig.5The rate of hydrogen evolution and power density response (a); anode polarization curves in borohydride solution (b). This figure has been adapted from ref 55. with permission from WILEY-VCH, copyright 2015.…”

Promoting Effect of Tin on Binder‐Free CoSnx‐B/Ni‐foam Catalysts for Fuel Conversion Efficiency in Direct Borohydride Fuel Cell

“…Li et al. considered that a catalyst with a high capability to catch H 2 can effectively depress H 2 evolution, thus improved the coulombic efficiency of BH 4 − electrooxidation.…”

Prevention of active-site destruction during the synthesis of high performance non-Pt cathode catalyst for fuel cells

“…12,13 Unlike conventional carbon-supported catalysts, such as Pt/XC-72 in which an active-site (Pt) exists on the surfaces of solid carbon particles (XC-72), MPC-supported catalysts present active-sites on the inner pore surfaces. 14 MPC-supported catalysts are fabricated using the templateassisted method, via the carbonization of a composite consisting of a catalyst precursor and a template. The carbonization temperature and nature of the applied template signicantly inuence the active-site formation.…”