Journal
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
Volume 195, Issue 1, Pages 146-150Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.07.006
Keywords
Silicon microchannel plates; Methanol oxidation; Nickle-palladium catalyst; Integrated fuel cells
Funding
- Shanghai Fundamental Key Project [08JC1408900]
- China NSFC [50672027]
- Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC) General Research Funds (GRF) [CityU 112307]
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A novel anode structure based on the three-dimensional silicon microchannel plates (Si-MCP) is proposed for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Ni-Pd nanoparticles produced by electroless plating onto the Si-MCP inner sidewalls and followed by annealing at 300 degrees C under argon serve as the catalyst. In order to evaluate the electroactivity of the nanocomposites, Ni-Pd/silicon composites synthesized by the same method are compared. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and electrochemical methods are employed to investigate the Ni-Pd/Si-MCP anode materials. As a result of the synergetic effects rendered by the MCP and Ni-Pd nanoparticles, the Ni-Pd/Si-MCP nanocomposites exhibit superior electrocatalytic properties towards methanol electro-oxidation in alkaline solutions, as manifested by the negative onset potential and strong current response to methanol even during long-term cyclical oxidation of methanol. This new structure possesses unique and significant advantages such as low cost and integratability with silicon-based devices. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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