Porous Pt-Ni Nanobelt Arrays with Superior Performance in H₂/Air Atmosphere for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Abstract

To reduce cost and energy consumption of fuel cell vehicles, constructing membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) with low Pt loading and outstanding performance at low relative humidity (RH) conditions is reported. A catalyst layer based on porous Pt–Ni nanobelt arrays was prepared, in which the strained catalyst enhanced the catalytic activity and the oriented nanobelt array structure provided convenient mass transport channels. The porous Pt–Ni nanobelt arrays were prepared by the magnetron sputtering of Pt and Ni on a sacrificed template and then washed with acid. Consequently, the catalyst layer based on the porous Pt–Ni nanobelt arrays exhibited superior fuel cell performance in H2/air conditions and RH 40%. The performance of the MEA with porous Pt–Ni nanobelt arrays reach 366.6 and 597.6 mW cm–2 with Pt loadings of 36.5 μg cm–2/36.5 μg cm–2 and 108.9 μg cm–2/108.9 μg cm–2 at the cathode/anode, respectively. A conventional CCM with the Pt loading of 100 μg cm–2/200 μg cm–2 at the cathode/anode served as the benchmark, and the cell performance was 230.5 mW cm–2. Apart from that, the Pt nanobelt arrays without a porous structure (100.8 g cmPt –2/100.8 μg cmPt –2) serving as another benchmark achieved a performance of 504.7 mW cm–2. The superior performance of the porous Pt–Ni nanobelt arrays is attributed to the convenient mass transport pathway and the high activity of the porous Pt–Ni nanobelt.

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

“…In the past decade, the order structural CLs have been actively investigated in the literature due to their excellent capabilities of minimizing Pt loadings and improving reactant transport. Yao et al [ 75 ] developed porous Pt–Ni nanobelt arrays by following a procedure of hydrothermal processing, magnetron sputtering, decal transferring, and acid treatment. In comparison with traditional CCM methods, the new developed CLs with ultra-thin, ionomer-free, porous and oriented microstructure demonstrated better catalytic activity and mass transport capabilities.…”

Customized Patterning of Deep Nanowell Structures in Polymer Electrolyte Membranes for Highly Enhanced Fuel Cell Performances

“…One of the most effective strategies for reducing Pt use in the cathode is to increase the three-phase boundary by modulating the interface structure between the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) and catalyst layer (CL). − It has been also reported that in the CL with a thickness of several micrometers in general, catalysts located far from the membrane surface exhibit low ORR performance . Accordingly, to improve the PEMFCs’ performance and to reduce Pt usage, it is required to place Pt particles in closer proximity to the membrane by roughening the membrane surface.…”

High-throughput surface-enhanced Raman scattering sensors for near-infrared detection of biochemical molecules

“…[25][26][27][28][29][30] Therefore, porous Au and Ag NPs are the ideal choices for NIR-SERS substrates. [31][32][33][34] Currently, the reported preparation methods of porous NPs based substrates mainly include templating, 35,36 dealloying, 37 and electrodeposition. 38,39 The substrates prepared by these methods generally feature a high-density hot spot and sensitivity, and can be prepared on a large-scale.…”