Enhancing direct borohydride fuel cell performance via low-temperature plasma pretreatment of cobalt hydroxide catalysts

Direct borohydride fuel cells (DBFCs) are increasingly recognized as a crucial component in the shift toward renewable energy, known for their high operational efficiency and reduced environmental impact. In this study, dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma pretreatment was first applied to p-CoCl₂ precursors, which were then reduced in situ with KBH₄ to develop p-Co(OH)₂ catalysts for use in DBFCs. The method markedly improved the electrocatalytic capabilities of the catalysts, achieving a peak power density of 244 mW cm⁻² in DBFCs, surpassing the performance of traditional Co(OH)₂ catalysts. The catalysts showed remarkable stability, enabling the fuel cells to operate effectively for over 210 h. The enhancement in performance is attributed to structural changes induced by the DBD plasma, including the creation of oxygen vacancies and an increase in catalytically active sites. This result demonstrates the significant impact of DBD plasma treatment on improving both the durability and efficacy of the catalysts, essential for propelling advancements in clean energy technologies and solidifying the position of DBFCs as a key innovation in the renewable energy field.