Cobalt nickel boride nanocomposite as high-performance anode catalyst for direct borohydride fuel cell

Direct borohydride fuel cells: A selected review of their reaction mechanisms, electrocatalysts, and influence of operating parameters on their performance

“…Anode catalyst erosion from their substrate is often mentioned as one cause of DBFC instability [59]; cathode catalyst dissolution and re-deposition at the anode, and detachment of carbon-supported nanoparticles after DBFC operation are additional explanation for the instability of PGM-based DBFCs upon prolonged operation [51]. Non-PGM Co-Ni-B [60] and NiB [61] BOR anode catalyst were found rather active/stable in prolonged DBFC operation.…”

Porous Ni–Cu Alloy Dendrite Anode Catalysts with High Activity and Selectivity for Direct Borohydride Fuel Cells

“…24−26 On Co−Ni−B catalysts fabricated by Duan et al, the current density of BOR reaches 40.48 mA cm −2 at 0.6 V versus Hg/HgO, which is higher than that on PtRu/C. 27 In addition, the catalyst activity can be improved by the fabrication of nanomaterials to increase the electrochemical surface area (ECSA) and the skeletons with a large specific surface area to enable a fast mass transfer of fuel. 28 In the literature, 28,29 the low-cost Ni−Cu alloys exhibit a good electrocatalytic activity toward HER, oxygen evolution reaction, and methanol oxidation reaction because of the unique three-dimensional dendritic structure.…”

“…A pressing need to liberate people from fossil fuels is developing renewable energy to change the energy structure. Sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ), a fuel for the alkaline fuel cell, has been investigated in the past 20 years and received increasing attention recently. − Using NaBH 4 as the fuel, the direct borohydride fuel cell (DBFC) possesses a theoretical energy density of 9.3 kW h kg –1 , which is much higher than other alkaline fuel cells, for example, the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (3.28 kW h kg –1 ) and direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC, 6.08 kW h kg –1 ) . It is attributed to the high hydrogen content of borohydride (10.6 wt %) and the eight-electron borohydride oxidation reaction (BOR, eq ).…”

“…Alloying is an efficient way to improve the catalyst performances owing to the synergistic effect of components. − On Co–Ni–B catalysts fabricated by Duan et al, the current density of BOR reaches 40.48 mA cm –2 at 0.6 V versus Hg/HgO, which is higher than that on PtRu/C . In addition, the catalyst activity can be improved by the fabrication of nanomaterials to increase the electrochemical surface area (ECSA) and the skeletons with a large specific surface area to enable a fast mass transfer of fuel .…”

Ammonia borane as an efficient direct fuel in alkaline fuel cells: mechanism, catalysts, applications, and challenges

“…[1][2][3] Fuel cells have attracted enormous attention owing to their advantages of safety, high theoretical energy density and fuel cell efficiency. [4][5][6] The hydrogen-oxygen (H 2 -O 2 ) fuel cell as one of the most popular fuel cells has been widely studied in the past several decades. 7,8 However, the safety and the storage technologies of hydrogen make it necessary to explore alternative fuels.…”