Pd-doped Co nanofibers immobilized on a chemically stable metallic bipolar plate as novel strategy for direct formic acid fuel cells

High contact resistance and corrosion are the main dilemma facing wide application of the metallic bipolar plates. In this study, deposition of thin film from Pd-decorated Co nanofibers on a silicon substrate is introduced as a novel strategy to produce functionalized metallic bipolar plate. The novel active metallic bipolar plate can be prepared by using simple, low cost, high yield and effective technique; electrospinning. The bimetallic nanofibrous film chemically bonds with the silicon substrate due to formation of silicon carbide which leads to merge the deeper nanofibers with the silicon surface. Accordingly, high current density (100 mA cm−1) was obtained when the introduced covered silicon wafer was utilized as anode catalyst for formic acid electrooxidation. Because the bimetallic nanofibers are sheathed in a thin graphite shell, the introduced active bipolar plate reveals very good stability. Overall, the introduced study is opening a new avenue to prepare new class of functionalized metallic bipolar plates.