Performance Enhancement of Pd/C for Direct Formic Acid Fuel Cell By Heat Treatment of the Carbon Black

Direct formic acid fuel cell, DFAFC, has been attracted much attention due to its high power density when Pd-based catalyst has been used for the anode. In this study, we investigated the effect of the heat treatment for the carbon support in Pd/C. Vulcan carbon (C_v) and Ketjen black (C_K) were used selected as a carbon support. The three types of heat treatments were conducted in each support; calcination at 1273 K for 1h in nitrogen atmosphere, steam activation at 1122 K for 1h in nitrogen atmosphere and both treatments in the order of calcination and steam activation. Non-heattreated carbon blacks were also prepared, and the formic acid oxidation activities of four catalysts were measured and compared. In the case of Vulcan carbon, it was found that Pd/C_V treated by only calcination showed the higher catalytic activity in four catalysts. On the other hand, in case of Ketjen black, non-treated one showed highest catalytic activity comparing to the treated catalyst. In the presentation, we will show the results of the characterization of the catalysts, and then, discuss why high catalytic activity could be obtained.