A Novel Anode Electrode for Direct Borohydride Fuel Cell

As part of the development of a portable fuel cell using direct Borohydride fuel, method for deposition of the catalysis on the diffusion layer have been studied. The undesirable tendency for pore clogging due to sodium metaborate formation in the small pores where the high reaction and low flow rate cause a high metaborate concentration is observed. As one alternative, a nickel substrate based diffusion layer with larger pore size is under evaluation. However, a revision of the catalyst deposition method is needed for the application of nickel substrate. Three diffusion layer materials including open weave carbon cloth, Nickel Micro Fiber felt (NMF), and a nickel foam, were used along with a new catalyst deposition method to realize maximum uniform surface coverage. The catalyst coated diffusion layers were then run and compared in a test cell. A significant increase in cell power was obtained with nickel foam compared to nickel felt, or with carbon cloth Substrate. Run time test results of catalysis coated Ni felt-foam and carbon cloth diffusion layers will be presented.