Compact and efficient gas diffusion electrodes based on nanoporous alumina membranes for microfuel cells and gas sensors

Gas diffusion electrodes based on nanoporous alumina membranes electrocatalyze hydrogen oxidation at high diffusion-limiting current densities with fast response times.

A polyaniline wrapped aminated graphene composite on nickel foam as three-dimensional electrodes for enzymatic microfuel cells

Ni foam coated with a NH2-G/PAni composite is reported as a promising 3D electrode material for enzymatic microfuel cells for the first time.

Nanoporous PdCo Catalyst for Microfuel Cells: Electrodeposition and Dealloying

PdCo alloy is a promising catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction of direct methanol fuel cells because of its high activity and the tolerance to methanol. We have applied this catalyst in order to realize on-chip fuel cell which is a membraneless design. The novel design made the fuel cells to be flexible and integratable with other microdevices. Here, we summarize our recent research on the synthesis of nanostructured PdCo catalyst by electrochemical methods, which enable us to deposit the alloy onto microelectrodes of the on-chip fuel cells. First, the electrodeposition of PdCo is discussed in detail, and then, dealloying for introducing nanopores into the electrodeposits is described. Finally, electrochemical response and activities are fully discussed.

Synthesis of Ordered Macroporous Pt/Ru Nanocomposites for the Electrooxidation of Methanol

Highly catalytic PtRu catalysts with different molar ratios of Pt to Ru have been synthesized by using the inverted colloidal crystals template technique. Three-dimensional ordered Pt/Ru alloys with pore size of 320 nm could be conveniently obtained by electrochemical codeposition of metal precursors inside the voids of the template. The structural and chemical properties of the macroporous catalysts were studied by using SEM, XPS and XRD methods. The decomposition and oxidation of methanol on the macroporous catalyst surfaces with different Pt and Ru molar ratios (Pt100Ru0, Pt90Ru10, Pt80Ru20, Pt70Ru30 and Pt56Ru44) were systemically discussed. Potentiostatic experiments showed that the special structure characteristics (e.g., interconnected pore framework and the flexible curvature) lead to enhanced methanol oxidation efficiency on the macroporous materials as compared to the directly deposited catalyst. These results demonstrate that the three-dimensional ordered porous bimetallic catalysts are promising alternatives for developing high performance DMFC anodic catalysts, especially for the fabrication of microfuel cells.