Electrocatalytic Reduction of Oxygen at Perovskite (BSCF)-MWCNT Composite Electrodes

Abstract

A composite paste electrode based on Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 Co 0.8 Fe 0.2 O 3- δ (BSCF)—initially synthesized by sol gel method—and multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) as a cathode in fuel cells is developed. The composite pastes are prepared by the direct mixing of BSCF:MWCNT at 90:10, 80:20 and 70:30 (% w/W). These electrodes are then characterized by the x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The XRD and SEM confirm the inclusion and the uniform dispersal of the MWCNT within BSCF, respectively. The nitrogen adsorption isotherm study shows that the porosity of the composite paste electrode has been improved by two - fold from the BSCF electrode. The EIS and CV demonstrate that the higher ratios of MWCNT in the composites are critical in improving the electronic conductivity as well as the kinetics. It is also noticeable that the electrode has increased the catalysis of oxygen in 0.1 M KOH (pH 12.0). Cyclic voltammetric studies on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) suggest that the incorporation of MWCNT is vital in improving the electrode (cathode) properties of a fuel cell.