A parametric study of a platinum ruthenium anode in a direct borohydride fuel cell

Data on the performance of a direct borohydride fuel cell (DBFC) equipped with an anion exchange membrane, a Pt–Ru/C anode and a Pt/C cathode are reported. The effect of oxidant (air or oxygen), borohydride and electrolyte concentrations, temperature and anode solution flow rate is described. The DBFC gives power densities of 200 and 145 mW cm⁻² using ambient oxygen and air cathodes respectively at medium temperatures (60 °C). The performance of the DBFC is very good at low temperatures (ca. 30 °C) using modest catalyst loadings of 1 mg cm⁻² for anode and cathode. Preliminary data indicate that the cell will be stable over significant operating times.