Steady-state dc and impedance investigations of H2/O2 alkaline membrane fuel cells with commercial Pt/C, Ag/C, and Au/C cathodes.

The performances of H(2)/O(2) metal-cation-free alkaline anion-exchange membrane (AAEM) fuel cells operated with commercially available Au/C and Ag/C cathodes are reported for the first time. Of major significance, the power density obtained with 4 mg cm(-2) Ag/C (60% mass) cathodes was comparable to that obtained with 0.5 mg cm(-2) Pt/C (20% mass) electrodes, whereas the performance when using the same Ag/C cathode in a Nafion-based acidic membrane electrode assembly (MEA) was poor.