Non-Pt-Group Catalysts for Alkaline Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells

Ethanol, produced from renewable resources is going to be an important energy carrier for mobile and portable applications. Direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) directly convert the chemical energy stored in ethanol into electricity. An overview of appropriate anode materials for the alkaline Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell will be presented. In comparison to acid fuel cell systems, the alkaline media enables significant higher fuel utilization and the use of platinum free electrocatalysts and cost efficient materials for the cell constructions. The electrochemical oxidation of ethanol in alkaline solution is studied on different Ni-based catalysts. The catalysts are prepared with different methods, the support materials are varied and other non-Pt-group elements are used as co-catalysts. The catalysts are characterized with EDX and electrochemically analyzed with a rotating disk electrode. The products of the ethanol oxidation are investigated chromatographically to determine the most suitable types of catalysts for ethanol oxidation.