An Alkaline Al-H2O2 Semi-Fuel Cell Based on a Nickel Foam Supported Co3O4 Nanowire Arrays Cathode

The electrode of Co3O4 nanowire arrays directly grown on nickel foam is prepared via a facile one-step method. The electrode is characterised by scanning and transmission electron microscopy and tested as the cathode of an Al–H2O2 semi-fuel cell. We found that Co3O4 forms clusters of nanowires with length up to around 15 μm and diameter around 250 nm. The nanowire is composed of interconnected nanoparticles. Effects of H2O2 concentrations, catholyte KOH concentration, catholyte flow rate and operation temperature on the cell performance are investigated. The cell exhibited an open circuit voltage of 1.4 V, and peak power densities of 85 and 137 mW cm–2 at 25 and 65 °C, respectively, while running on 0.4 mol L–1 H2O2 at a flow rate of 80 mL min–1.