How to maximize geometric current density in testing of fuel cell catalysts by using gas diffusion electrode half-cell setups

Schmitt, Nicolai; Schmidt, Mareike; Mueller, Jonathan E.; Schmidt, Lasse; Etzold, Bastian J. M.

doi:10.1016/j.elecom.2022.107362

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…The uncompensated resistance had to be minimized to achieve the second current increase indicated in Figure A. The cell design was changed to reduce the iR drop, discussed prior as (2): the position of the RE and its channel to the catalyst layer was optimized as those primarily affect the iR drop . The RE was placed inside the cell, and the channel diameter connecting the flow channels to the RE chamber acting as a quasi-Luggin capillary (compare Figure C) was increased from 0.5 to 1 mm.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To implement high current density measurements on GDEs, the SFC had to be adjusted in four main areas: (1) to ensure that gaseous reactant reaches the catalyst layer effectively, a flow field was added to the setup. Furthermore, (2) the iR drop was decreased for simpler compensation and to remain within the compliance voltage limits of the potentiostat, 55 (3) the CE was improved to not limit the reaction on the high surface WE, and (4) oxygen diffusion from the environment to the WE was minimized.…”

Section: Cell Design Improvementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The cell design was changed to reduce the iR drop, discussed prior as (2): the position of the RE and its channel to the catalyst layer was optimized as those primarily affect the iR drop. 55 The RE was placed inside the cell, and the channel diameter connecting the flow channels to the RE chamber acting as a quasi-Luggin capillary (compare Figure 1C) was increased from 0.5 to 1 mm. The most significant impact on the resistance is the distance from the entry of the quasi-Luggin capillary to the WE.…”

Section: Cell Design Improvementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It was previously discussed in the literature that a minimal distance between the RE and CE lowers the compliance voltage, which needs to be applied by the potentiostat. 55 Hence, a higher current density could be reached within the boundaries of the potentiostat. High carbon corrosion is induced on the glassy carbon rod typically used as CE in SFC applications due to the occurrence of the OER as a counter-reaction to the ORR.…”

Section: Cell Design Improvementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Scanning Gas Diffusion Electrode Setup for Real-Time Analysis of Catalyst Layers

Reichmann,

Lloret,

Ehelebe

et al. 2024

ACS Meas. Sci. Au

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The scanning gas diffusion electrode (S-GDE) half-cell is introduced as a new tool to improve the evaluation of electrodes used in electrochemical energy conversion technologies. It allows both fast screening and fundamental studies of real catalyst layers by applying coupled mass spectrometry techniques such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and online gas mass spectrometry. Hence, the proposed setup overcomes the limitations of aqueous model systems and full cell-level studies, bridging the gap between the two approaches. In this proof-of-concept work, standard fuel cell electrodes are investigated at elevated oxygen reduction reaction current densities, while dissolved Pt x+ ions in the electrolyte and gaseous CO 2 in the outlet gas stream are detected to track platinum dissolution and carbon corrosion, respectively. Relevant current densities of up to 0.75 A cm −2 are demonstrated. The electrochemically active surface area, oxygen reduction reaction activity, and Pt dissolution rates are quantified and benchmarked to the values obtained in the conventional stationary GDE half-cell. Moreover, it is found that Pt dissolution is suppressed when O 2 is purged into the catalyst layer. Overall, this work demonstrates the feasibility of fast fuel cell electrode screening obtaining, complementary to electrochemical, mass spectrometry data necessary in fundamental studies on structure/ performance relationships under actual reaction conditions. While Pt/C, in relevance to its fuel cell application, is used in this study, the proposed setup can be applied in water electrolysis, CO 2 conversion, metal-air batteries, and other neighbor technologies.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Cell Design Improvementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Cell Design Improvementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Cell Design Improvementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Scanning Gas Diffusion Electrode Setup for Real-Time Analysis of Catalyst Layers

Reichmann,

Lloret,

Ehelebe

et al. 2024

ACS Meas. Sci. Au

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“…For GDE preparation the respective catalyst was deposited on the gas diffusion media (Sigracet 25 BC, SGL Carbon) by using a drop-casting approach, resulting in a catalyst loading of 100 μg Pt cm −2 . Detailed information on the coating technique and the measurement procedure is given in our recent publications 26,45 and in the ESI †. For the investigation of HiSPEC® 3000 catalyst and the IL modified samples, the I/C ratio was set to 0.5.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Which insights can gas diffusion electrode half-cell experiments give into activity trends and transport phenomena of membrane electrode assemblies?

et al. 2023

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A Comparative Study of the Oxygen Reduction Reaction on Pt and Ag in Alkaline Media

Rampf,

Braig,

Passerini

et al. 2024

ChemElectroChem

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Investigating the ORR under practical conditions is vital for optimizing metal–air batteries and alkaline fuel cells. Herein, we characterized Pt and Ag gas diffusion electrodes (GDE) in a GDE half‐cell in high alkaline concentrations at elevated temperatures by polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) combined with the distribution of relaxation times (DRT) analysis. The Pt catalyst's polarization curve displays substantial losses below 0.82 V vs. RHE. The DRT analysis reveals significantly increased charge transfer resistance and a decelerated ORR at that potential. RRDE measurements attributed the polarization loss observed for Pt catalysts to increased peroxide formation in this potential region triggered by the desorption of oxygenated species. Therefore, the ORR activity of Ag exceeds some of the here‐used Pt catalysts at high current densities. This work combines the benefits of the RRDE and the GDE half‐cell to study catalysts and identify the reaction mechanisms under conditions relevant to practical fuel cells and batteries. Moreover, the DRT analysis is introduced as an analytical tool to determine the charge transfer resistance contribution and the corresponding frequency of the ORR.

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How to maximize geometric current density in testing of fuel cell catalysts by using gas diffusion electrode half-cell setups

Cited by 4 publications

References 32 publications

Scanning Gas Diffusion Electrode Setup for Real-Time Analysis of Catalyst Layers

Scanning Gas Diffusion Electrode Setup for Real-Time Analysis of Catalyst Layers

Which insights can gas diffusion electrode half-cell experiments give into activity trends and transport phenomena of membrane electrode assemblies?

A Comparative Study of the Oxygen Reduction Reaction on Pt and Ag in Alkaline Media

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