An Improved Borohydride-H2O2 Laboratory Fuel Cell

A new direct borohydride fuel cell (DBFC) which uses sodium borohydride and hydrogen peroxide as reactants is described. Cell performance is measured in a laboratorial cell constructed and modified according to the tested parameters: electrolyte concentration, membrane type and configuration, fuel and oxidant concentrations. Platinum electrodes were selected from a wide range of electrocatalytic materials and used throughout the work both for borohydride oxidation and peroxide reduction. A short-circuit current density of 92 mA cm-2 and a maximum power density of 56 mW cm-2 at 25 ºC were attained when the improved cell was used. Suggestions for future work are presented.