Hydrogen oxidation characteristics of Raney nickel electrodes with carbon black in an alkaline fuel cell

The characteristics of hydrogen oxidation of Raney nickel electrodes containing carbon black in an alkaline fuel cell are investigated in 6 M KOH at 80°C. The addition of conductive material to these electrodes is shown to increase both the limiting current density for hydrogen oxidation and the diffusivity of hydroxide ions. The catalytic activity of Raney nickel electrodes containing carbon black is about twice that of an undoped electrode. A Raney nickel electrode with 8 wt.% Vulcan XC-72 exhibits the highest performance due to the high conductivity and high diffusivity of hydroxide ions at the electrode. The pore volume of the micropores increases with increase in the content of carbon black, but the pore volume of the macropores gradually decreases.