Investigation of Performance of Glycerol-Tolerant Catalysts for Cathodes of Alkaline Glycerol Fuel Cells

Chakkrapong Chaiburi; Ratirod Jantong

Authors

Chakkrapong Chaiburi Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Thaksin University, Phatthalung Campus, Phatthalung, Thailand
Ratirod Jantong Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Thaksin University, Phatthalung Campus, Phatthalung, Thailand

Keywords:

Alkaline Fuel Cell, Glycerol, Reduction Reaction, Cathode Electrode, Catalysts

Abstract

The aim of this research was to investigate the performance of glycerol-tolerant catalysts for use at the cathodes of alkaline glycerol fuel cells. Study of the surface characteristics and distribution of alloys revealed that Pd/C, Ag/C, AgV_xO_y/C, V_xO_y/C and W/C catalysts had consistent surface characteristics and distribution of the metals on their supports. Pd/C, Ag/C and AgV_xO_y/C catalysts were more effective in catalyzing the reduction reactions than W/C catalysts when not added with glycerol. The efficiency testing of the catalytic reduction reaction of the catalysts when doped with glycerol revealed that Ag/C and AgV_xO_y/C catalysts were glycerol-tolerant and resulted in no oxidation reaction. Therefore, they can likely be used as catalysts for the cathodes of alkaline fuel cells.

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