Exploring the performance of ammonia microfluidic fuel cell using PdNiCo aerogel

In this manuscript, PdNiCo and NiCo aerogel catalysts are prepared by an ultrafast sol-gel method combining microwave heating and freeze-drying. These new aerogels are synthesized to explore the transition metal content compared to a Pd aerogel in order to minimize the dependence on noble metals and improve their electrocatalytic properties in the presence of ammonia. The textural properties of the aerogels were characterized by the N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms. The crystal structures were measured by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to analyze the electronic structures of the elements. The electrocatalytic activity of the aerogels towards the ammonia oxidation reaction was tested by cyclic voltammetry in a 1 M KOH + 1 M NH4OH solution. The combination of these properties in the PdNiCo and NiCo aerogels enhances the electrocatalytic activity of ammonium electro-oxidation compared to that of the Pd aerogel alone, and the multimetallic aerogels are more stable when used in a microfluidic device such as an ammonia fuel cell.