Succulent-plant-like Ni–Co alloy efficient catalysts for direct borohydride fuel cells

Abstract

A Ni–Co alloy catalyst with a unique succulent-plant-like morphology is prepared by a simple electrodeposition method, while the effects of deposition conditions on its performance are also investigated systematically. The research results show that the Ni_0.889–Co_0.111 catalyst exhibits excellent activity, selectivity, and stability to the borohydride oxidation reaction. Moreover, when Ni_0.889–Co_0.111 is assembled as the anode catalyst, the direct borohydride fuel cell delivers a peak power density of 490 mW cm⁻² and an open-circuit voltage of 1.87 V at 343 K and can run stably for dozens of hours. The significant improvement in Ni–Co catalyst performance can be attributed to its unique succulent-plant-like morphology and the introduction of an appropriate amount of Co.