LaNi sub(0.9)Ru sub(0.1)O sub(3) as a cathode catalyst for a direct borohydride fuel cell

LaNi sub(0.9)Ru sub(0.1)O sub(3) as cathode catalyst for a direct borohydride fuel cell (DBFC) was synthesized and investigated for the first time. The electrochemical experiments indicated that perovskite-type oxide LaNi sub(0.9)Ru sub(0.1)O sub(3) exhibited higher electrochemical performance compared with LaNiO sub(3), which suggested incorporation of element Ru into LaNiO sub(3) could further improve the catalytic ability for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline solution. LaNi sub(0.9)Ru sub(0.1)O sub(3) catalyst was found to have good tolerance of BH sub(4) super(-). Meanwhile the maximum power density of 171 mW cm super(-2) was obtained at 65 degree C without using any precious ion exchange membrane. A life test indicated that the DBFC displayed no significant degradation for about 70 h testing. The electrochemical data suggested that LaNi sub(0.9)Ru sub(0.1)O sub(3), which provided a simple way to construct DBFCs without using any ion exchange membrane, might be promising cathode catalyst with high performance and low cost for DBFCs.