Title
A novel sputtered Pd mesh architecture as an advanced electrocatalyst for highly efficient hydrogen production
Date Issued
30 July 2016
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Universidade de Brasília
Publisher(s)
Elsevier B.V.
Abstract
This study reports the preparation, characterization and testing of a sputtered Pd mesh-like anode as an advanced electrocatalyst for H2 production from alkaline ethanol solutions in an Alkaline Membrane Electrolyzer (AEM). Pd anodic catalyst is prepared by magnetron sputtering technique onto a microfiber carbon paper support. Scanning Electron Microscopy images reveal that the used preparation technique enables to cover the surface of the carbon microfibers exposed to the Pd target, leading to a continuous network that also maintains part of the original carbon paper macroporosity. Such novel anodic architecture (organic binder free) presents an excellent electro-chemical performance, with a maximum current density of 700 mA cm-2 at 1.3 V, and, concomitantly, a large H2 production rate with low energy requirement compared to water electrolysis. Potassium hydroxide emerges as the best electrolyte, whereas temperature exerts the expected promotional effect up to 90°C. On the other hand, a 1 mol L-1 ethanol solution is enough to guarantee an efficient fuel supply without any mass transfer limitation. The proposed system also demonstrates to remain stable over 150 h of operation along five consecutives cycles, producing highly pure H2 (99.999%) at the cathode and potassium acetate as the main anodic product.
Start page
248
End page
256
Volume
321
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Ingeniería, Tecnología
Subjects
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-84966397628
Source
Journal of Power Sources
ISSN of the container
03787753
Sponsor(s)
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus