Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
7713444 | International Journal of Hydrogen Energy | 2015 | 8 Pages |
Abstract
This work describes the use of Pd nanocatalyst on Vulcan XC-72 (at a very low loading, 8 wt% Pd) in passive alkaline direct ethanol fuel cell (ADEFC). The average Pd particle size obtained with TEM was 3.5 ± 0.5 nm. The XRD results of the prepared Pd nanocatalysts showed the dominant fcc structure. The catalytic activity towards ethanol electro-oxidation in various concentrations of KOH was evaluated in the half-cell tests by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Improved performance and stability on Pd/C was observed when the [hydroxyl]/[ethanol] = 1. The Pd/C nanocatalyst performance in ADEFC under passive state showed enhanced maximum current and power densities in 5 M KOH. 5 M ethanol showed power density of 7 mW cmâ2 and maximum current density of 33 mA cmâ2 in 1 M KOH. While at higher KOH concentration of 5 M, 5 M ethanol showed improved power density of 17 mW cmâ2 and 90 mA cmâ2 current density as well as stability.
Keywords
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Chemistry
Electrochemistry
Authors
Remegia M. Modibedi, Thembelihle Mehlo, Kenneth I. Ozoemena, Mkhulu K. Mathe,