Study of the catalytic activity of copper substrates coated with gold and silver foam in alcohol-alkaline media

Abstract

Abstract The aim of the study is to find cheap catalysts for the oxidation of ethanol and the release of oxygen in alkaline alcohol fuel cells. The catalytic activity of gold-plated copper substrates coated with silver foam in an ethanol membrane-free fuel cell has been investigated. In this fuel cell, the phase interface between two highly alkaline immiscible liquids acts as a membrane. The highly alkaline medium allows the use of non-platinum catalysts, which, together with the absence of a membrane, can significantly reduce the cost of these fuel cells. It is shown that gold-plated copper substrates coated with silver foam have high activity compared only with gold-plated or only with silver-plated copper catalysts. The currents observed on the proposed catalyst are an order of magnitude higher than the currents on all other electrodes studied. The oxidation of ethanol on it also takes place at more negative potentials. Further stabilization of the silver foam is required due to its tendency to peel off from the substrate in order to successfully use this catalyst in this type of fuel cells.