PREPARATION OF RANEY-NI GAS-DIFFUSION ELECTRODE BY FILTRATION METHOD FOR ALKALINE FUEL-CELLS

A novel filtration method for preparation of gas diffusion electrodes for fuel cells is proposed. This method, which is a modification of th e conventional dry method, has the merits of both wet and dry techniqu es. The electrode performance is improved due to better structure, con trolled hydrophobicity and less compaction. To compare the effectivene ss of the method, Raney-Ni/PTFE anodes for use in a KOH fuel cell were made. Their electrochemical performance was compared with similar ele ctrodes produced by the dry method by other research groups, under the same conditions. The filtration method electrodes performed better be tween temperatures of 25 degrees C and 75 degrees C. The electrode exh ibited no significant degradation of activity in the first 180 h at 10 0 mA cm(-2) anodic load.