Electrocatalytic Performance of Pd/C and Pt/C for Power Generation from Sugarcane Extract in Direct Liquid Fuel Cell

Abstract

The processing of biomass to obtain fuels such as ethanol results in generating waste and polluting the environment. However, to meet energy demand and simultaneously reduce environmental pollution, fuel cells are promising devices for converting chemical compounds into electricity. Fuel cells can be powered by various types of liquids, including the sugars available in sugarcane extract, with high energy potential. Fuel cells employ the use of noble metals as electrocatalysts, such as Pt or Pd, to carry out the oxidation of these fuels. In this sense, this work reports the study of the oxidation of sugarcane extract in these different noble metals. The platinum catalyst was shown to be more active for the oxidation of sugars, resulting in a power density 10 times greater than Pd/C using a 50% diluted sugarcane extract solution, resulting in promising fuel cell systems. To produce ecologically correct electrical energy for the industry in general.