A Novel Anode for Direct Borohydride-Hydrogen Peroxide Fuel Cell: Au Nanoparticles Decorated 3D Self-Supported Reduced Graphene Oxide Foam

Abstract

A novel anode material of Au nanoparticles grown on a self-supported reduced graphene oxide foam is successfully fabricated in this work. Characterization methods like X-ray diffraction pattern, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscope are employed to research the chemical component and surface morphology of the prepared electrode. Also, the electrochemical performance of the electrocatalyst on NaBH4 oxidation is detailed researched in this work. As-prepared anode material exhibits good catalytic activity (661 mA·cm–2) in 2 mol·L–1 NaOH, 0.4 mol·L–1 NaBH4. Besides, low activation energy, small charge transfer impedance, and high fuel utilization are obtained during the oxidation of NaBH4 on the prepared catalyst. Mechanism research shows that the oxidation of NaBH4 is the first order reaction, and the exchanged electrons number is evaluated as 7.2 on the prepared electrode. In addition, power density of 60 mW·cm–2, as well as good stability, is obtained on the assembled fuel cell. All these results are indicating that the as-prepared catalyst is an efficient anode catalyst for direct borohydride-hydrogen peroxide fuel cell.