A direct borohydride–peroxide fuel cell using a Pd/Ir alloy coated microfibrous carbon cathode

A direct borohydride fuel cell with a Pd/Ir catalysed microfibrous carbon cathode and a gold-catalysed microporous carbon cloth anode is reported. The fuel and oxidant were NaBH4 and H2O2, at concentrations within the range of 0.1–2.0 mol dm−3 and 0.05–0.45 mol dm−3, respectively. Different combinations of these reactants were examined at 10, 25 and 42 °C. At constant current density between 0 and 113 mA cm−2, the Pd/Ir coated microfibrous carbon electrode proved more active for the reduction of peroxide ion than a platinised-carbon one. The maximum power density achieved was 78 mW cm−2 at a current density of 71 mA cm−2 and a cell voltage of 1.09 V.