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An Alkaline Al–H 2 O 2 Semi‐Fuel Cell Based on a Nickel Foam Supported Co 3 O 4 Nanowire Arrays Cathode
Author(s) -
Lei T.,
Tian Y. M.,
Wang G. L.,
Yin J. L.,
Gao Y. Y.,
Wen Q.,
Cao D. X.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
fuel cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.485
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1615-6854
pISSN - 1615-6846
DOI - 10.1002/fuce.201000168
Subject(s) - nanowire , cathode , electrode , materials science , nickel , transmission electron microscopy , scanning electron microscope , analytical chemistry (journal) , nanoparticle , open circuit voltage , volumetric flow rate , fuel cells , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , voltage , chemistry , composite material , metallurgy , chromatography , electrical engineering , physics , engineering , quantum mechanics
The electrode of Co 3 O 4 nanowire arrays directly grown on nickel foam is prepared via a facile one‐step method. The electrode is characterised by scanning and transmission electron microscopy and tested as the cathode of an Al–H 2 O 2 semi‐fuel cell. We found that Co 3 O 4 forms clusters of nanowires with length up to around 15 μm and diameter around 250 nm. The nanowire is composed of interconnected nanoparticles. Effects of H 2 O 2 concentrations, catholyte KOH concentration, catholyte flow rate and operation temperature on the cell performance are investigated. The cell exhibited an open circuit voltage of 1.4 V, and peak power densities of 85 and 137 mW cm –2 at 25 and 65 °C, respectively, while running on 0.4 mol L –1 H 2 O 2 at a flow rate of 80 mL min –1 .