La1−xSrxCoO3 (x = 0.1–0.5) as the cathode catalyst for a direct borohydride fuel cell

Direct borohydride fuel cells (DBFCs), with a series of perovskite-type oxides La1−xSrxCoO3 (x = 0.1–0.5) as the cathode catalysts and a hydrogen storage alloy as the anode catalyst, are studied in this paper. The structures of the perovskite-type catalysts are mainly La1−xSrxCoO3 (x = 0.1–0.5) oxides phases. However, with the increase of strontium content, the intensities of the X-ray diffraction peaks of the impure phases La2Sr2O5 and SrLaCoO4 are gradually enhanced. Without using any precious metals or expensive ion exchange membranes, a maximum current density of 275 mA cm−2 and a power density of 109 mW cm−2 are obtained with the Sr content of x = 0.2 at 60 °C for this novel type of fuel cell.