Lattice strain controlled Ni@NiCu efficient anode catalysts for direct borohydride fuel cells

Abstract

and an open circuit voltage of 1.94 V, much better than the performances of DBFCs employing other anode catalysts reported in the literature. This could be attributed to the fact that the tensile lattice strain generated by the introduction of Cu leads to a rise in the d-band center of the Ni metal and promotes the final B-H decoupling, which is the rate-determining step in the borohydride oxidation reaction, thus improving remarkably the catalytic performances of Ni@NiCu.

Topics & Concepts