Manganese dioxide electrocatalysts for borohydride fuel cell cathodes?

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Sljukic, B (Author) Other; Sequeira, CAC (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal Of Electroanalytical Chemistry

Vol. 694

Pages: 77-83

ISSN: 1572-6657

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 19 Citations

Scopus - 22 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-005-1Z7

DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2013.01.044

Abstract (EN): Electrocatalysts of manganese dioxide (MnO2) supported on activated carbon (AC) were prepared by low-temperature (ltMnO(2)/AC) and high-temperature (htMnO(2)/AC) procedures. Structure, morphology and composition of the synthesised materials were investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Activity of the two prepared electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was investigated in alkaline media and ORR kinetic parameters evaluated from rotating disc electrode measurements. It was found that the ORR proceeds as two-electron process at ltMnO(2)/AC-based electrode, while it proceeds as four-electron process at htMnO(2)/AC-based electrode. The two electrocatalysts were further investigated for application as cathode materials in direct borohydride fuel cells. For that purposes the ORR at MnO2/AC was investigated in the presence of borohydride in alkaline solution and in the temperature range from 25 to 65 degrees C. It could be observed that the activity of ltMnO(2)/AC for the ORR is significantly suppressed in the borohydride-containing solution whereas htMnO(2)/AC still showed high activity for the ORR.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7