Titanium‐Containing Raney Nickel Catalyst for Hydrogen Electrodes in Alkaline Fuel Cell Systems

In alkaline hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells Raney nickel is employed as cata-lyst for hydrogen electrodes. The rate of anodic hydrogen conversion has been increased significantly by using a t i tanium-containing Raney nickel. The properties of the catalyst powder, the influence of particle diameter, and the behavior of electrodes under load are described. Impedance measurements have been used to characterize the electrodes. In fuel cell systems the supported electrodes are normally operated at current densities up to 0.4 A 'cm-2; the overload current density of 1 A.cm- ~ can be maintained for several hours. The economic factors of the H2-O2 fuel cell are de-termined essentially by the costs of the catalysts em-ployed in the electrodes. Hence it is rational for com-mercial applications to avoid the expensive and rare materials uch as noble metals. In alkaline electrolyte, the metals nickel and silver are suitable as catalysts