Metal Phosphide-Based Novel Anodes for Intermediate Temperature Fuel Cells

In this study, metal phosphides such as Ni2P, CoP, FeP, WP, and MoP were investigated as novel anode catalysts for intermediate temperature fuel cells. Composite electrolytes composed of CsH2PO4 and SiP2O7, the metal phosphates, and a commercial Pt/C electrode were used as the electrolyte, anode, and cathode, respectively, and power generation characteristics were evaluated at 220ºC as H2-O2 fuel cells. The anode performance was compared based on the electrochemical surface area of each anode determined by cyclic voltammetry. Among the phosphide anodes, the MoP catalyst exhibited excellent current-voltage characteristics, and demonstrated a potential as an anode catalyst superior to the Pt/C catalyst.