Electrochemical oxidation of boron containing compounds on titanium carbide and its implications to direct fuel cells

Electrochemical oxidation of sodium borohydride (NaBH4) and ammonia borane (NH3BH3) (AB) have been studied on titanium carbide electrode. The oxidation is followed by using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and polarization measurements. A fuel cell with TiC as anode and 40 wt% Pt/C as cathode is constructed and the polarization behaviour is studied with NaBH4 as anodic fuel and hydrogen peroxide as catholyte. A maximum power density of 65 mW cm−2 at a load current density of 83 mA cm−2 is obtained at 343 K in the case of borhydride-based fuel cell and a value of 85 mW cm−2 at 105 mA cm−2 is obtained in the case of AB-based fuel cell at 353 K.

► Titanium carbide is an efficient, non-platinum, corrosion resistant and cost-effective electrode.
► Electro-oxidation of sodium borohydride and ammonia borane, on titanium carbide.
► Fuel cell studies using titanium carbide as anode and 40 wt% Pt/C as cathode yield good performance.