Performance comparison of Pt-Au/C and Pt-Bi/C anode catalysts in batch and continuous direct glucose alkaline fuel cell

To study the performance of two different anode catalysts, e.g., Pt-Au/C and Pt-Bi/C, at low metal loadings in batch and continuous type direct glucose fuel cell (DGFC), the metal catalysts were prepared and physical and electro-chemical characterizations were carried out. A continuous DGFC based on anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyte with Pt-Bi/C or Pt-Au/C as anode and Pt/C as cathode resulted in higher power densities than that of batch type DGFC with alkaline (KOH) electrolyte. The DGFC operated at ambient temperature (30 degrees C) with Pt-Bi/C anode produced higher maximum power density (MPD) (4.8 mW cm(-2)) compared to Pt-Au/C anode (MPD = 2.44 mW cm(-2)) with anode and cathode feed 4 ml min(-1) of 0.2 M glucose and 16 SCCM oxygen at 1 bar. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.