title: Preparation and electrochemistry of Pd-Ni/Si nanowire nanocomposite catalytic anode for direct ethanol fuel cell.
abstract: A new silicon-based anode suitable for direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) is described. Pd-Ni nanoparticles are coated on Si nanowires (SiNWs) by electroless co-plating to form the catalytic materials. The electrocatalytic properties of the SiNWs and ethanol oxidation on the Pd-Ni catalyst (Pd-Ni/SiNWs) are investigated electrochemically. The effects of temperature and working potential limit in the anodic direction on ethanol oxidation are studied by cyclic voltammetry. The Pd-Ni/SiNWs electrode exhibits higher electrocatalytic activity and better long-term stability in an alkaline solution. It also yields a larger current density and negative onset potential thus boding well for its application to fuel cells.
authors.affiliation: College of Communications and Electronics Engineering, Qiqihar University, 42 Wenhua Street, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang 161006, China.
authors.forename: Fengjuan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Miao
authors.forename: Bairui
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: Paul K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Chu