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ECS Meeting Abstracts, 4(MA2008-02), p. 470-470, 2008

DOI: 10.1149/ma2008-02/4/470

The Electrochemical Society, ECS Transactions, 50(16), p. 123-137, 2009

DOI: 10.1149/1.3157943

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Zinc Negative Electrode for Direct Borohydride Fuel Cells

Journal article published in 2009 by Diogo M. Santos ORCID, Cesar A. Sequeira ORCID
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

Zinc is evaluated as negative electrode for the direct electrochemical oxidation of sodium borohydride. Open-circuit potential measurements, cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and chronopotentiometry are used to characterise the electrode behaviour, namely the oxidation reaction at the Zn/BH4- interface. Two consecutive oxidation steps are identified and a possible working mechanism is proposed. A relatively low electrocatalytic activity of Zn for borohydride oxidation is indicated. A laboratory direct sodium borohydride/hydrogen peroxide fuel cell using a Zn anode is studied at room temperature. Cell voltages of 2.14 V and short-circuit currents of 1050 mA cm-2 are reported but cell stability is limited to 6 hours operation. Specific energies and maximum capacities (based on total H2O2 weight) of 2553 mWh kg-1 and 1438 mAh kg-1, respectively, are obtained. A maximum power density of about 470 mW cm-2 at a cell voltage of 1.1 V and current density of 426 mA cm-2 is reported.