A direct glucose alkaline fuel cell using MnO2-carbon nanocomposite supported gold catalyst for anode glucose oxidation

Gold nanoparticles supported on MnO2-carbon nanocomposite (Au/MnO2-C) are synthesised as the catalyst for the anodic oxidation of glucose for use in a direct glucose alkaline fuel cell (DGAFC). Characterisation of the catalyst is carried out using physical and electrochemical methods. It is observed that gold nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed onto the MnO2-carbon nanocomposite support. Cyclic voltammetry shows that the prepared Au/MnO2-carbon catalysts exhibit higher electro-catalytic activity for glucose oxidation than that of commercial Pt/C and Au/C catalysts. A maximum power density, at 30 degrees C, of 1.1 mW cm(-2) is obtained using an Au/MnO2-C anode catalyst in DGAFC, which is higher than that of the commercial Au/C catalyst. The enhanced activity is attributed to a catalytic effect of MnO2 towards glucose oxidation. MnO2-C nanocomposite is a promising approach for reducing noble metal catalyst loading in addition to improving the catalytic activity of gold catalyst for glucose oxidation. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.