Evaluation of a Porous Nano Structure Electrode Base on Pt-Free Nano Catalyst for Direct 2-Propanol Fuel Cell

2-propanol is one of the most promising candidates for direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs). 2-Propanol is less toxic than methanol, it is less prone to crossover to the cathode, and it is not poison to the cathode like the methanol. In this project, a porous anode electrode was made based on the Pt-free HypermecTM ( Fe-Co-Ni/C) nanocatalysts for evaluation of 2-propanol electrooxidation in alkaline media. Performances of the mentioned electrode and conventional palladium anode electrode in 2-propanol electrooxidation reaction were compared. The electrochemical behaviors of these electrodes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry techniques. The chronoamperometry results showed clearly that the HypermecTM is a better catalyst for 2-propanol oxidation reaction than the Pd/C. The maximum current density value obtained for the Pt-free HypermecTM was 15 μA μg-1metal and for Pd/C (10% wt) was 11.5 μA μg-1metal . therefore, the HypermecTM electrocatalyst had a higher catalytic activity than Pd/C (10% wt) electrocatalyst.