Electrocatalysts supported on multiwalled carbon nanotubes for direct borohydride–hydrogen peroxide fuel cell

• Catalytic activity of various catalysts on fuel decomposition is evaluated.
• Better performance of catalyst with MWCNT than catalyst with XC-72.
• Optimum anode catalyst is palladium.
• Optimum cathode catalyst is gold.
• Upon use of optimum catalysts, maximum power density is 170.9 mW/cm2 at 25 °C.

Electrocatalysts of Rh, Ru, Pt, Au, Ag, Pd, Ni, and Cu supported on multiwalled carbon nanotubes for direct borohydride–hydrogen peroxide fuel cells are investigated. Metal/γ-Al2O3 catalysts for NaBH4 and H2O2 decomposition tests are manufactured and their catalytic activities upon decomposition are compared. Also, the effects of XC-72 and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) carbon supports on fuel cell performance are determined. The performance of the catalyst with MWCNTs is better than that of the catalyst with XC-72 owing to a large amount of reduced Pd and the good electrical conductivity of MWCNTs. Finally, the effect of electrodes with various catalysts on fuel cell performance is investigated. Based on test results, Pd (anode) and Au (cathode) are selected as catalysts for the electrodes. When Pd and Au are used together for electrodes, the maximum power density obtained is 170.9 mW/cm2 (25 °C).