Niobium Enhances Electrocatalytic Pd Activity in Alkaline Direct Glycerol Fuel Cells

Author(s)

Souza, Felipe M. ^[1] ; Bohnstedt, Paula ^[1] ; Pinheiro, Victor S. ^[1] ; Paz, Edson C. ^[1] ; Parreira, Luanna S. ^[2] ; Batista, Bruno L. ^[1] ; Santos, Mauro C. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed ABC UFABC, CCNH, LEMN, Rua Santa Adelia 166, BR-09210170 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Quim, Ave Prof Lineu Prestes 748, Cidade Univ, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CHEMELECTROCHEM; v. 6, n. 21, p. 5396-5406, OCT 31 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

PdxNby/C binary electrocatalysts supported on Printex 6 L carbon black were prepared by using an adapted chemical reduction method with sodium borohydride. The electrocatalysts were characterized by using SEM, TEM, XRD, EDS, ICP-MS, water contact angle and Raman spectroscopy. The best performance for the alkaline direct glycerol fuel cell (ADGFC) was obtained by using Pd1Nb1/C, which yielded a maximum power density of 27 mW cm(-2) at 70 degrees C. Residues of products formed from the glycerol oxidation were analyzed by using FT-Raman and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The Pd1Nb1/C electrocatalyst exhibited a more negative onset potential for the CO oxidation reaction and a higher conversion rate of glycerol to carbonate. We suggest that the higher hydrophilicity, higher degree of disorder, and bifunctional effects enhanced the electrocatalytic activity of Pd, as Nb facilitated the oxidation of adsorbed CO in Pd and increased the transfer rate of electron from Pd to carbon black support Therefore, Nb is a promising co-catalyst for Pd-based electrocatalysts for ADGFCs. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/10314-8 - Nanostructures for Phenol, Ciprofloxacin and 17±-ethinylestradiol Degradation
• Grantee: Mauro Coelho dos Santos
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/22976-0 - Development of palladium and niobium nanoelectrocatalysts for alkaline direct ethanol fuel cells
• Grantee: Felipe de Moura Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 17/10118-0 - Study and application of electrochemical technology for the analysis and degradation of endocrine interferents: materials, sensors, processes and scientific dissemination
• Grantee: Marcos Roberto de Vasconcelos Lanza
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/21846-6 - Nanostructures for environmental remediation and power generation from renewable sources
• Grantee: Mauro Coelho dos Santos
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Regular Program Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/26307-9 - Development of Pd and Nb electrocatalysts for application in fuel cells and degradation of organic pollutants
• Grantee: Paula Böhnstedt
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation