Assembly of a Cost-Effective Anode Using Palladium Nanoparticles for Alkaline Fuel Cell Applications

• Published in: Journal of chemical education Vol. 92; no. 2; pp. 360 - 363
• Main Authors: Feliciano-Ramos, Ileana, Casañas-Montes, Barbara, García-Maldonado, María M, Menéndez, Christian L, Mayol, Ana R, Díaz-Vázquez, Liz M, Cabrera, Carlos R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Chemical Society and Division of Chemical Education, Inc 10.02.2015; Division of Chemical Education, Inc and ACS Publications Division of the American Chemical Society; American Chemical Society
• Subjects: Alkalinity; Anode effect; Catalysis; Catalysts; Catalytic activity; Chemical elements; Chemical synthesis; Chemistry; College Science; Effectiveness; Electrochemistry; Electrodes; Energy; Ethanol; Fuel cells; Fuel technology; Fuels; Glassy carbon; Laboratory Experiment; Laboratory Experiments; Molecular Structure; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Oxidation; Palladium; Problem Solving; Science Experiments; Science Instruction; Science Laboratories; Students; Surface area; Technology; Undergraduate Study; Voltammetry; Electrochemistry; Upper-Division Undergraduate; Analytical Chemistry; Problem Solving/Decision Making; Laboratory Instruction; Nanotechnology
• ISSN: 0021-9584; 1938-1328
• DOI: 10.1021/ed500230y

Nanotechnology allows the synthesis of nanoscale catalysts, which offer an efficient alternative for fuel cell applications. In this laboratory experiment, the student selects a cost-effective anode for fuel cells by comparing three different working electrodes. These are commercially available palladium (Pd) and glassy carbon (GC) electrodes, and a carbon paste (CP) electrode that is prepared by the students in the laboratory. The GC and CP were modified with palladium nanoparticles (PdNP) suspensions. The electrodes efficiencies were studied for ethanol oxidation in alkaline solution using cyclic voltammetry techniques. The ethanol oxidation currents obtained were used to determine the current density using the geometric and surface area of each electrode. Finally, students were able to choose the best electrode and relate catalytic activity to surface area for ethanol oxidation in alkaline solution by completing a critical analysis of the cyclic voltammetry results. With this activity, fundamental electrochemical concepts were reinforced.