Fuel cells--I. Propane on palladium catalyst

Abstract

For the reaction at low temperatures of a gaseous hydrocarbon as a fuel gas at a negative electrode in a fuel cell, the choice of a suitable catalyst is of the first importance.In the present study, catalysts consisting of palladium reduced by hydrogen and palladium reduced by formate, supported on four types of porous skeleton disks (thin nickel, thick nickel and two types of carbon), were examined. In many cases, the electrodes were given a water-proofing treatment.The specific fuel cell used involved the prepared fuel electrode using gaseous propane, 30% KOH solution, a carbon-black air electrode and a temperature of 5O[deg]C We attempt to distinguish the behaviour of propane from that due to hydrogen contained in the electrode, mainly on the basis of the relationship between (a) electrode preparation and treatment and (b) the open-circuit potential behaviour of the fuel electrode.The repetition of small current discharges resulted in open-circuit potentials reaching steady high potentials and in electrodes exhibiting comparatively good dischargeabilities.