Smmj. Alsaleh Ma",sleemurrahman,"kareemuddin et As. Alzakri, NOVEL METHODS OF STABILIZATION OF RANEY-NICKEL CATALYST FOR FUEL-CELLELECTRODES, Journal of power sources, 72(2), 1998, pp. 159-164
Two new methods of stabilizing Raney-Nickel (Raney-Ni) catalyst for ma
king fuel-cell anodes were studied. In the first method, the catalyst
was oxidized with aqueous H2O2 solution, while in the second, oxygen/a
ir (O-2/air) was used in a slurry reactor. Effects of different concen
trations of H2O2 (5-25 wt.%) and different pressures (10-20 psig) of g
as were investigated. The stabilized catalyst was characterized using
BET surface area, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffrac
tion (XRD). The catalyst was used in fuel-cell anodes and the electroc
hemical performance was determined in an alkaline half-cell. The resul
ts were compared with electrodes prepared using conventionally stabili
zed catalysts. The hydrogen peroxide-treated catalyst has higher BET s
urface area and produces electrodes with lower polarization. In additi
on to this, H2O2 treatment is convenient, fast and needs simple equipm
ent which involves no instrumentation. Use of oxygen in a slurry react
or to stabilize the catalyst is also convenient but electrode performa
nce is relatively poor. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.