Characterization of hydrogen generation for fuel cells via borane hydrolysis using an electroless-deposited Co–P/Ni foam catalyst

✍ Scribed by KwangSup Eom; MinJoong Kim; RyongHee Kim; DoHwan Nam; HyukSang Kwon

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2010
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 791 KB
• Volume: 195
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0378-7753
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.11.084

✦ Synopsis

The effect of an electroless-deposited Co-P/Ni foam catalyst on H 2 generation kinetics in ammonia borane (NH 3 BH 3 ) solution and the cyclic behaviour (durability) of the catalyst are investigated. The electrolessdeposited Co-P is composed of an inner flat layer and outer layer that consists of an aggregate of spherical particles. The H 2 generation rate/projected area of the Co-P/Ni foam catalyst is much higher than that of a Co-P/Cu sheet catalyst. The activation energy (E a ) for the hydrolysis of NH 3 BH 3 using the Co-P/Ni foam catalyst is calculated to be 48 kJ mol -1 . After the first cycle, the H 2 generation rate decreases dramatically, i.e., by 16%, due to a decrease in surface area caused by the partial separation of spherical Co-P particles. Between the first and sixth cycles, the H 2 generation rate decreases gradually (by 14%) on account of a decrease in the number of P atoms that create active metallic Co sites on catalytic surface. After six cycles, about 70% of the initial H 2 generation rate remains constant. The study reveals a promising means of hydrogen generation for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells.