Anode Poisoning Study in Direct Formic Acid Fuel Cells

Palladium is an active catalyst for the electro-oxidation of formic acid, making it attractive as an anode catalyst for direct formic acid fuel cells. However, it exhibits significant decay under constant current operation, making it unsuitable for use in any fuel cell application unless the catalyst can be regenerated. The buildup of anode poisons, including a means of regenerating the catalyst, is investigated using chronopotentiometry and is reported here. After catalyst poisoning has occurred, operation at a constant voltage of 0.7 V vs dynamic hydrogen electrode for 10 min recovers the anode performance equivalent to that of the fresh anode. (C) 2008 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/1.3054278] All rights reserved.