Advanced Supporting Materials for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Abstract

Among the various kinds of fuel cell, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is the most prominent energy conversion device for portable applications. The catalystsupporting materials provi.de active triple phase boundary for electrochemical reactions where the reactant molecules can easily interact with the catalyst surface. Catalysts play a vital role for improving the overall efficiency of the fuel cells through the advancement in the catalyst and their supporting materials for cathodic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in PEMFCs. The supporting materials mainly contribute to increase the electrocatalytic activity of the catalysts by providing more active surface area and extended life-time. The major roles of supporting materials are (i) they act as electron source with improved conductivity; (ii) they hold the metal nanoparticles; (iii) they possess higher surface area and (iv) they should have better stability under operating conditions. In this chapter, the various supporting materials were reviewed carefully based on their nature and performance toward the electrochemical reduction of oxygen for PEMFCs. They are classified into three major categories as (i) carbon supports; (ii) carbon-free supports, and (iii) polymer nanocomposites. In summary, the overall view on support materials and their role on electrocatalysis for fuel cell reactions is provided.

Review—Electrodes Derived From Conducting Polymers and their Composites for Catalytic Conversion of Carbon Dioxide

“…Schematic illustration of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). 48 hydrocarbons at high rates. Metal oxides have been utilized for a long time as alternative catalytic materials instead of precious metals, even though they exhibited lower activity toward CRR compared to noble metals.…”