Synthesis of Ni Nanotubes for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Reaction at Cathode Side of PEM Fuel Cell

Electrocatalytic activity at cathode in Polymer Exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is sluggish and requires a most active catalyst. Till now Platinium (Pt) is considered as the most feasible and active catalyst for Oxygen reduction reaction at cathode. It is most expensive and also faces the problem of poisioning due to carbon monoxide, hence a more reactive, durable catalyst is required to meet the demand for commercialization. In this study a novel non platinum group metal (N-PGM) Ni nanotubes were prepared by using hydrothermal technique using transition metal precursor with profound insight.Ni nano tubes were obtained after pyrolyzing Ni Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework (Ni/ZIF) at 800 0C under inert nitrogen atmosphere.It’s electro catalytic performance was examined by Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV) done with Rotating Disk Electrode (RDE) evaluation shows that, Ni nanotubes owns splendid electro catalytic behavior for Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) in basic environment. It depicts a current density of -2.6mA/cm2 and an over potential of -0.28V Vs. Saturated Calomel Electrode (SCE), and  RDE Results were obtained  at 400,800,1200 and 1600 rpm in 0.1M KOH solution while the Ni/ZIF shows the minimum -1.4 mA/cm2..The Pt/C catalyst was also analyzed in the same environment for comparison purpose having a current density of -4.6 mA / cm2. The results reflect that Ni nanotubes is promising catalyst for Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell.

1. Abid Ullah: US-PCASE, UET Peshawar, 25000, Pakistan UET Peshawar
2. Khalid khan: US-PCASE, UET Peshawar, 25000, Pakistan UET Peshawar
3. Kamran Alam: US-PCASE, UET Peshawar, 25000, Pakistan UET Peshawar
4. Izaz Ahsan: US-PCASE, UET Peshawar, 25000, Pakistan UET Peshawar
5. Muhammad Humayun: Basic Science Deptt. UET Peshawar

Abid Ullah Khalid khan Kamran Alam Izaz Ahsan and Muhammad Humayun, "Synthesis of Ni Nanotubes for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Reaction at Cathode Side of PEM Fuel Cell", International Journal of Engineering Works, Vol. 5 Issue 10 PP. 188-192 October 2018.

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