Study of the hydrazine and borohydride ions electro-oxidation reaction on non-noble metal electrocatalysts for alkaline fuel cells

Abstract

Passive fuel cells fed with liquid fuels, such as hydrazine and borohydride ions in the anode, and air in the cathode (also called hydrazine or borohydride/air batteries) are promising alternatives as power sources. This is due to their high energy density, autonomy, and easy fuel supply, compared to lithium ion batteries that have high energy density, but with limited autonomy. The hydrazine and borohydride electro-oxidation involves the transfer of 4 and 8 electrons and produces N2 e BO2- (reversible to BH4-) as final products, respectively. An important feature is that these fuels do not have carbon in their composition and, so, do not produce CO or CO2 when they are oxidized. However, for the most investigated metals, the electro-oxidation of these fuels competes with parallel reaction pathways, with no or fewer electrons and, therefore, the main challenge is the development of efficient electrocatalysts to lead the reaction to the direct pathway. In this context, this research project aims at the synthesis of non-noble metals-based nanostructured electrocatalysts, guided by theoretical results, and the experimental study of the electrocatalytic activities for the hydrazine and borohydride electro-oxidation reactions. (AU)