Borohydride-tolerant oxygen electroreduction catalyst for mixed-reactant Swiss-roll direct borohydride fuel cells

Abstract

A novel and highly active Fe–aminoantipyrine (Fe–AAPyr) catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline media was synthesized by the modified sacrificial support method (SSM) and investigated in an innovative Swiss-roll mixed-reactant alkaline fuel cell architecture. The prepared Fe–AAPyr cathode showed excellent shorter-term (up to 200 min) durability and tolerance to electrooxidation of NaBH₄. The Swiss-roll mixed-reactant Direct Borohydride Fuel Cell (DBFC) equipped with a Pt 3D anode and Fe–AAPyr gas-diffusion cathode produced an open circuit voltage and peak power density of 0.97 V and 137 mW cm⁻² respectively at 45 °C and ambient pressure. These values are among the highest open circuit voltages and peak power densities reported for any mixed-reactant low temperature fuel cell and conventional dual chamber DBFCs.