Degradation Resistant Cathodes in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Ye, Siyu; Hall, Miho; Cao, Hong; He, Ping

doi:10.1149/1.2356186

Cited by 27 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…43 Furthermore, BET measurements allow determination of the specific support surface area. XRD analysis has been carried out using Bragg's Equation 2 and Scherrer's Equation 3 containing X-ray reflection angle θ, wavelength of Cu Kα radiation λ, cubic form factor K of 0.89 and fully peak width at half maximum FWHM.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stability of Pt Nanoparticles on Alternative Carbon Supports for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Schonvogel

Hülstede

Wagner

et al. 2017

J. Electrochem. Soc.

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Pt supported on carbon black, commonly used as PEM fuel cell catalyst, underlies electrochemical instabilities in terms of carbon corrosion and platinum degradation. To better understand the influence of the support on nature and extent of catalyst aging, Pt was synthesized on four different substrates: Carbon black, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and a nanocomposite of indium tin oxide with rGO (ITO-rGO). The four Pt catalysts and the separate supports were studied on their durability using an accelerated stress test (AST, −0.02-1.40 V SHE ). Comparable platinum degradation was shown by losses of electrochemically active surface area (EASA) and activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and by identical location transmission electron microscopy (IL-TEM). With respect to the supports, highest instability of carbon black was observed investigating the double layer capacitance and amounts of hydroquinone (HQ) species. MWCNTs showed the lowest degradation. Thus, AST provoked strongly different extents of support aging but similar Pt degradation. In view of complex FC catalyst degradation mechanism, only negligible Pt detachment caused by support degradation and rather dominating Pt dissolution and agglomerationadditionally evidenced by IL-TEM-is assumed here. Regarding ITO-rGO, neither carbon support nor platinum stabilization by ITO nanoparticles has been observed. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are attractive for stationary, portable and automotive applications.1,2 Short response times and simple cell design with low weight and solid electrolyte membranes are some advantages of PEMFCs, especially for the automotive sector. Good performance and high lifetimes are two important criteria for commercialization of fuel cells. Low temperature PEMFCs can reach power densities about 680 mWcm −2 , 3 higher than the power densities of other fuel cell types.1 However, a challenge is the loss of performance with operation time.2,4 The better understanding of physical, thermal, mechanical, chemical and electrochemical processes, leading to the aging of fuel cell components, is indispensable and is therefore one main issue of current fuel cell research. 2,[5][6][7][8] Platinum supported on carbon black represents the commonly used catalyst in fuel cells. Under PEMFC conditions at low pH values and cell voltages of around 1.0 V during no-load or 1.4 V during startstop operation, 9 dissolution of platinum becomes relevant. Pt oxides are formed at potentials higher than 0.6 V SHE , 10 whereas Pt oxides or metallic Pt can dissolve.2 Dissolved Pt underlies Ostwald ripening or simply leaves the cell with the exhaust water stream. Pt ions can migrate into the membrane and be reduced to metallic platinum. 11Especially at potentials above 0.95 V SHE oxygen atoms can replace Pt atoms, so that potential cycling can lead to significant changes of the catalyst particle structure. 2Also instabilities of the catalyst support can result in a reduction of cell performance. Corrosion of carbo...

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stability of Pt Nanoparticles on Alternative Carbon Supports for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Schonvogel

Hülstede

Wagner

et al. 2017

J. Electrochem. Soc.

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“…The most common catalyst degradation modes in PEM fuel cells include sintering [ 273 , 274 ], dissolution [ 275 , 276 ], and detachment [ 144 ] of catalyst nanoparticles. The sintering (coarsening or agglomeration) of catalyst nanoparticles can lead to the growth of catalyst nanoparticles and thus dramatically reduce ECSA, which is an important degradation mechanism of the long-term performance [ 277 ].…”

Section: Durability Of Catalyst Layersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the actually operating environment of PEM fuel cells, carbon supports are thermodynamically unstable and subject to corrosion through the following chemical reaction at the cathodic electrodes [ 281 ], which can lead to the deterioration of the connectivity between carbon particles and the detachment of catalyst nanoparticles [ 3 , 276 ], as shown in Fig. 30 .…”

Section: Durability Of Catalyst Layersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structure, Property, and Performance of Catalyst Layers in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Zhao

Liu

2023

Electrochem. Energy Rev.

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Catalyst layer (CL) is the core component of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, which determines the performance, durability, and cost. However, difficulties remain for a thorough understanding of the CLs’ inhomogeneous structure, and its impact on the physicochemical and electrochemical properties, operating performance, and durability. The inhomogeneous structure of the CLs is formed during the manufacturing process, which is sensitive to the associated materials, composition, fabrication methods, procedures, and conditions. The state-of-the-art visualization and characterization techniques are crucial to examine the CL structure. The structure-dependent physicochemical and electrochemical properties are then thoroughly scrutinized in terms of fundamental concepts, theories, and recent progress in advanced experimental techniques. The relation between the CL structure and the associated effective properties is also examined based on experimental and theoretical findings. Recent studies indicated that the CL inhomogeneous structure also strongly affects the performance and degradation of the whole fuel cell, and thus, the interconnection between the fuel cell performance, failure modes, and CL structure is comprehensively reviewed. An analytical model is established to understand the effect of the CL structure on the effective properties, performance, and durability of the PEM fuel cells. Finally, the challenges and prospects of the CL structure-associated studies are highlighted for the development of high-performing PEM fuel cells. Graphical abstract

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“…While the MEA and plate designs were tested for their initial performance characteristics, in parallel, they were subjected to the ASTs for durability assessments. Since the cathode catalyst layer design is critical from the perspectives of oxygen reduction kinetics and water management (mass transport), the ASTs were used to probe for the intrinsic resistance to catalyst corrosion, and Pt agglomeration in the catalyst materials (2). After the catalyst materials were tested and the ASTs had been completed, the MEAs were characterized to determine the fingerprint of the failure mechanisms (3).…”

Section: Durabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Development And Demonstration Of Technology On The Path To Commercially Viable PEM Fuel Cell Stacks

2008

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Ballard's Technology "Road Map" (TRM) highlighted the automotive fuel cell performance targets Ballard planned to meet on an annual basis, as the company progressed toward its goal of developing commercially viable fuel cell stack technology. These evaluation activities culminated in the most recent demonstration of a stack design in 2007 that met the cost (< US$57/kW net ), power density (>1900 Watts/Litre), durability (>5000 hours under a dynamic load profile simulating real-world driving conditions with a low voltage degradation rate) and freeze-start capability (from -30°C to 50% power in <130 seconds) targets that were on the path to satisfy the 2010 interim objectives. A consistent objective at Ballard has been to leverage technologies developed as part of the TRM initiative into other product areas (e.g. residential cogeneration, materials handling, and back-up power). Ballard recently completed the sale of its automotive fuel cell assets. As a result, Ballard no longer funds or manages R&D program work in the automotive fuel cell application area. Instead, the company is focused on non-automotive commercial applications, against which we are able to apply automotive fuel cell Intellectual Property and best practices, as appropriate.

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Degradation Resistant Cathodes in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Cited by 27 publications

References 6 publications

Stability of Pt Nanoparticles on Alternative Carbon Supports for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Stability of Pt Nanoparticles on Alternative Carbon Supports for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Structure, Property, and Performance of Catalyst Layers in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

The Development And Demonstration Of Technology On The Path To Commercially Viable PEM Fuel Cell Stacks

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