Synthesis and characterization of non precious metal loaded conducting polymer based hybrid nanocomposites for electrocatalytic and fuel cell applications

Abstract

With the ultimate aim of improving overall performance of Direct Alkaline Alcohols Fuel Cell and Direct Alkaline Sulfur Fuel Cell (DSFC), innovative attempts are made in the present work for the development of cost effective and high performance electrocatalysts with fascinating morphology as anode materials. In the present study, four different types of catalysts were prepared utilizing fly ash, carbon nanotubes, phthalocyanine and graphitic carbon nitride. In detail, eight catalysts were prepared and their electrochemical studies were carried out in an aqueous alkaline solution of alcohols and sodium sulphide as model environmental pollutants. In addition, single stack direct alkaline methanol and sulphide fuel cells are fabricated and their performance was studied using all the eight catalyst as anode materials. newlineInitially, copper sulphide doped Poly(pyrrole-co-Fluoroaniline) Coated Coal Fly Ash (CFA) based zeolite (CFA-Ze) as a supporting material was synthesized through the hydrothermal process (Poly(Py-co- FA)/CuS/CFA-Ze). The nickel nanoparticles were deposited on (Poly(Py-co- FA)/CuS/CFA-Ze) through sodium borohydride reduction method. The obtained nickel deposited Poly(Py-co-FA)/CuS/CFA-Ze composite material was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and cyclic newlinevoltamm etry studies. The SEM and TEM images confirm the graphene sheet like structure formation through the interconnected bucky cage like shape constitutions. Electrode modified with the synthesized catalyst exhibits an improved catalytic activity for both oxidation of alcohols and sulphide ion in alkaline medium. newline newline