Electrocatalytic Borohydride Oxidation by Supported Tungsten Oxide Nanoclusters Towards Direct Borohydride Fuel Cells

Tungsten oxide supported over mesoporous carbon rich in nitrogen was analysed for electrochemical oxidation of borohydride as a potential candidate for anodic catalyst in direct borohydride fuel cell. The fabrication of composite catalyst included a hard template method employing SBA-15 with optimal tungsten content. This non-noble catalyst with a minimal tungsten oxide loading of 5 % over the mesoporous support was found to exhibit appreciable current density with an onset potential comparable to noble metals. Besides reliable activity the composite also exhibited significant stability under highly alkaline conditions necessary to keep a check over the competent and notorious borohydride hydrolysis reaction occurring simultaneously. The effect of temperature was also studied by performing borohydride oxidation at various temperatures and the catalyst was found to support the activity even at elevated temperatures.