Determination of O[H] and CO coverage and adsorption sites on PtRu electrodes in an operating PEM fuel cell

A special in situ PEM fuel cell has been developed to allow X-ray absorption measurements during real fuel cell operation. Variations in both the coverage of O[H] (O[H] indicates O and/or OH) and CO (applying a novel Deltamu(L3) = mu(L3)(V) - mu(L3)(ref) difference technique), as well as in the geometric (EXAFS) and electronic (atomic XAFS) structure of the anode catalyst, are monitored as a function of the current. In hydrogen, the N(Pt)(-)(Ru) coordination number increases much slower than the N(Pt)(-)(Pt) with increasing current, indicating a more reluctant reduction of the surface Pt atoms near the hydrous Ru oxide islands. In methanol, both O[H] and CO adsorption are separately visible with the Deltamu technique and reveal a drop in CO and an increase in OH coverage in the range of 65-90 mA/cm(2). With increasing OH coverage, the Pt-O coordination number and the AXAFS intensity increase. The data allow the direct observation of the preignition and ignition regions for OH formation and CO oxidation, during the methanol fuel cell operation. It can be concluded that both a bifunctional mechanism and an electronic ligand effect are active in CO oxidation from a PtRu surface in a PEM fuel cell.     

用于质子交换膜燃料电池催化剂结构研究的原位XAFS实验方法

依托上海光源的X射线吸收精细结构(XAFS)谱学线站(BL14W1),建立并发展了用于氢-氧质子交换膜燃料电池(PEMFC)原位XAFS实验的测试装置,以Pt/C纳米催化剂作为PEMFC的阴极催化剂, Pd/C作为燃料电池的阳极催化剂,采集在工作状态下的阴极催化剂的XAFS数据,同步监测燃料电池的电流-电压(J-V)曲线和功率密度曲线,观察到Pt/C催化剂在反应过程中不同电位下氧化态的变化,在高电位下Pt/C催化剂的表面存在较强的Pt-O键,降低了Pt/C催化剂的性能.本文同时也验证了我们所建立的实验装置和研究方法的可行性和可靠性.     

Improvement in performance of a direct ethanol fuel cell: Effect of sulfuric acid and Ni-mesh

A direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) is developed with low catalyst loading at anode and cathode compared to that reported in the literature. Pt/Ru (40%:20% by wt.)/C and Pt-black were used as anode and cathode catalyst with loadings in the range of 0.5–1.2 mg/cm². The temperatures of anode and cathode were varied from 34 °C to 110 °C, and the pressure was maintained at 1 bar. Although low catalyst loading was used, the cell performance is enhanced by 40–50% with the use of low concentration of sulfuric acid in ethanol and Ni-mesh as current collector at the anode. The power density 15 mW/cm² at 32 mA/cm² of current density is obtained from the single cell with 0.5 mg/cm² loading of Pt–Ru/C at anode (90 °C) and Pt-black at cathode (110 °C). The performance of DEFC increases with the increase in ethanol and sulfuric acid concentrations, electrocatalyst loadings up to 1 mg cm⁻² at anode and cathode. However, the performance of DEFC decreases with further increase in electrocatalyst loading.     

Tolerant cathode catalysts for direct methanol fuel cell

Effect of methanol on the reduction kinetics of oxygen on highly dispersed catalysts 60Pt/C (HiSPEC 9100), 40Pt/carbon nanotubes, and CoFe/carbon nanotubes for the cathode of a direct methanol-oxygen fuel cell was studied. It was shown that the CoFe/carbon nanotubes catalyst surpasses the platinum systems in tolerance to the alcohol. It was found that the tolerance of the cathode catalyst strongly affects the current–voltage characteristics of the fuel cell, which is the principal result of the study and constitutes its scientific novelty. The maximum power density of an alkaline methanol-oxygen fuel cell with nonplatinum cathode (260 mW cm^–2) exceeds the characteristics of similar fuel cells with platinum cathode catalysts, both obtained in the present study and described in the literature, which points to the practical importance of the study.     

Specific characteristics of molten carbonate fuel cell in realization of electrochemical coal oxidation

The test object was a fuel cell with free molten carbonate electrolyte providing realization of direct electrochemical oxidation of solid hydrocarbons. This study involved the effect of the fuel type and dispersion as well as cathode reagent gas mixture composition to the fuel cell functional parameters. The used fuels were dispersed and monolithic graphite, anthracite, and jet coal specimens. The effect of oxygen/carbon dioxide ratio on the mixture fed to cathode to the open circuit cell voltage and achieved current density levels was studied with respect to interrelation of the processes taking place in the cathode and anode units of the fuel cell. A correlation was noted between the specific fuel cell characteristics and hydrogen content in the fuel material. The highest level of current density and specific power was recorded for jet coal characterized with high hydrogen content. The different characteristics of monolithic and dispersed fuel specimens were accounted for by the effect of losses at contacts between particles. Achievement of high current density and specific power was demonstrated by using dispersed coal fuel.     

YSZ传导膜H_2S固体氧化物燃料电池

研究了Y2O3稳定的ZrO2(YSZ)氧离子传导膜H2S固体氧化物燃料电池性能。掺杂NiS、电解质、Ag粉和淀粉制备了双金属复合MoS2阳极催化剂,掺杂电解质、Ag粉和淀粉制备了复合NiO阴极催化剂,用扫描电镜对YSZ和膜电极组装(MEA)进行了表征,比较了不同电极催化剂的性能和极化过程,考察了不同温度对电池性能的影响。结果表明,双金属复合MoS2/NiS阳极催化剂在H2S环境下比Pt和单金属MoS2催化剂稳定,复合NiO阴极催化剂比Pt性能好,在电极催化剂中加入Ag可显著提高电极的导电性;与Pt电极相比,复合MoS2阳极和复合NiO阴极催化剂的过电位较小,阳极的极化比阴极侧小;温度升高,电池的电流密度与功率密度增加,电化学性能变好。在750℃、800℃、850℃和900℃及101.13 kPa时,结构为H2S、(复合MoS2阳极催化剂)/YSZ氧离子传导膜/(复合NiO阴极催化剂)、空气的燃料电池最大功率密度分别为30 mW/cm2、70 mW/cm2、155 mW/cm2及295 mW/cm2、最大电流密度分别为120 mA/cm2、240 mA/cm2、560 mA/cm2和890 mA/cm2。     

质子交换膜燃料电池Pt/C阴极氧还原动力学模拟

质子交换膜燃料电池的商业化应用迫切要求降低其Pt载量. 本文通过Pt/C氧还原电极的动力学模型计算,研究了Pt/C电极中的氧分布、生成电流以及满足实际应用的最小Pt载量. 结果表明：燃料电池Pt/C电极,阴极产生严重浓差极化的催化层厚度为40mm;功率密度达到1.4 W•cm^-2（2.1 A•cm^-2@0.67 V）的电池性能需要3mm左右的Pt/C阴极催化层,阴极Pt载量为0.122 mg•cm^-2,即可使膜电极的阴极铂用量低于0.087 g•kW^-1.     

Electrochemical characterization of Ni-Co and Ni-Co-Fe for oxidation of methyl alcohol fuel w ith high energetic catalytic surface*简

 Non Pt based metals and alloys as electrode materials for methyl alcohol fuel cells have been investigated with an aim of finding high electrocatalytic surface property for the faster electrode reactions. Electrodes were fabricated by electrodeposition on pure Al foil, from an electrolyte of Ni, Co, Fe salts. The optimum condition of electrodeposition were found out by a series of experiments, varying the chemistry of the electrolyte, pH valve, temperature, current and cell potential. Polarization study of the coated Ni-Co or Ni-Co-Fe alloy on pure Al was found to exhibit high exchange current density, indicating an improved electro catalytic surface with faster charge-discharge reactions at anode and cathode and low overvoltage. Electrochemical impedance studies on coated and uncoated surface clearly showed that the polarization resistance and impedance were decreased by Ni-Co or Ni-Co-Fe coating. X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) studies confirmed the presence of alloying elements and constituents of the alloy. The morphology of the deposits from scanning electron microscope (SEM) images indicated that the electrode surface was a three dimensional space which increased the effective surface area for the electrode reactions to take place.     

The problem of Ru dissolution from Pt–Ru catalysts during fuel cell operation: analysis and solutions

Platinum–ruthenium catalysts are widely used as anode materials in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEMFCs) operating with reformate gas and in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Ruthenium dissolution from the Pt–Ru anode catalyst at potentials higher than 0.5?V vs. DHE, followed by migration and deposition to the Pt cathode can give rise to a decrease of the activity of both anode and cathode catalysts and to a worsening of cell performance. A major challenge for a suitable application of Pt–Ru catalysts in PEMFC and DMFC is to improve their stability against Ru dissolution. The purpose of this paper is to provide a better knowledge of the problem of Ru dissolution from Pt–Ru catalysts and its effect on fuel cell performance. The different ways to resolve this problem are discussed.     

Operando 3D Visualization of Migration and Degradation of a Platinum Cathode Catalyst in a Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell

The three‐dimensional (3D) distribution and oxidation state of a Pt cathode catalyst in a practical membrane electrode assembly (MEA) were visualized in a practical polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) under fuel‐cell operating conditions. Operando 3D computed‐tomography imaging with X‐ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy (CT‐XANES) clearly revealed the heterogeneous migration and degradation of Pt cathode catalyst in an MEA during accelerated degradation test (ADT) of PEFC. The degradative Pt migration proceeded over the entire cathode catalyst layer and spread to MEA depth direction into the Nafion membrane.     

直接甲醇燃料电池电催化剂性能衰减研究

通过单电池放电试验, 考察了直接甲醇燃料电池(DMFC)电催化剂的性能衰减情况. 透射电镜(TEM)和X射线衍射分析(XRD)结果表明, 放电试验后阳极电催化剂的粒径变化很小, 而阴极电催化剂的粒径则显著增大. DMFC内部的液相环境是促使Pt粒子聚结的主要原因. 阳极催化剂中Ru的存在抑制了Pt粒子的生长. 阳极和阴极电催化剂的电化学表面积(ECSA)在放电后都有所降低, 且下降幅度均高于比表面积(SSA)的下降幅度. 放电过程中阳极电催化剂发生了Ru的流失.     

Enhancement of Methanol Tolerance in DMFC Cathode: Addition of Chloride Ions

In the operation of a direct methanol fuel cell, the modification by chloride ions on the surface of a Pt cathode can facilitate the extraordinary increase of power performance and long‐term stability. Analyzing the results of cyclic voltammograms and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the positive shift of Pt oxidation onset potential and the depression of oxidation current are observed, which results from the role of chloride as surface inhibitor. In addition, O₂ temperature‐programmed desorption and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy also reveal that the suppression of Pt surface oxide can be best understood in terms of lower binding of oxygen species by the alteration of electronic state of Pt atoms. Such a reduced surface oxide formation not only provides more efficient proton adsorption sites with high selectivity but also decreases the mixed potential by crossover methanol, resulting in higher performance and stability even under high voltage long‐term operation.     

Optimization of a permeation-based microfluidic direct formic acid fuel cell (DFAFC)

A design for a passive, air-breathing microfluidic fuel cell utilizing formic acid (FA) as a fuel is described and its performance characterized. The fuel cell integrates high surface area platinum (cathode) and palladium-platinum (anode) alloy electrodes within a PDMS microfluidic network that keeps them fully immersed in a liquid electrolyte. The polymer network that comprises the device also serves as a self-supporting membrane through which FA and oxygen are supplied to the alloy anode and cathode, respectively, by passive permeation from external sources. The cell is based on a planar form-factor and in its operation exploits FA concentration gradients that form across the PDMS membrane. These latter gradients allow the device to operate stably, producing a nearly constant limiting power density of ~0.2 mW/cm2, without driven laminar flow of fluids or the incorporation of an in-channel separator between the anodic and the cathodic compartments. The power output of this elementary device in air is subject to electrolyte mass transport impacts, which can be reduced for a given design rule by decreasing the internal ohmic resistance of the cell. The results suggest that operational stability can be improved by decreasing the kinetic losses imposed on the cathode side of the cell due to FA crossover and modalities for doing so, such as by increasing the efficiency of fuel capture at the anode.     

The Comparability of Pt to Pt‐Ru in Catalyzing the Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction for Alkaline Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells Operated at 80 °C

The Pt‐catalyzed hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) for alkaline polymer electrolyte fuel cells (APEFCs) has been one of the focus subjects in current fuel‐cell research. The Pt catalyst is inferior for HOR in alkaline solutions, and alloying with Ru is an effective promotion strategy. APEFCs with Pt‐Ru anodes have provided a performance benchmark over 1 W cm^?2 at 60 °C. The Pt anode is now found to be in fact as good as the Pt‐Ru anode for APEFCs operated at elevated conditions. At 80 °C with appropriate gas back‐pressure, the cell with a Pt anode exhibits a peak power density of about 1.9 W cm^?2, which is very close to that with a Pt‐Ru anode. Even by decreasing the anode Pt loading to 0.1 mg cm^?2, over 1.5 W cm^?2 can still be achieved at 80 °C. This finding alters the previous understanding about the Pt catalyzed HOR in alkaline media and casts a new light on the development of practical and high‐power APFEC technology.     

Pd-based PdPt(19:1)/C electrocatalyst as an electrode in PEM fuel cell

A carbon supported Pd-based PdPt catalyst with a Pd:Pt atomic ratio of 19:1 was synthesized and applied to a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). Three different types of single cells with the electrodes containing (PdPt/C:Pt/C), (Pt/C:PdPt/C) and (PdPt/C:PdPt/C) as their anode and cathode electrocatalysts were fabricated and the performance of them was compared. The single cell using PdPt/C as the anode electrocatalyst showed a high performance comparable to the cell with a commercial Pt/C electrocatalyst. This indicates that Pd-based electrocatalysts can be used as an anode electrocatalyst in PEMFC with very small amount of Pt (just about 5 at.%).     

Evidence of Nonelectrochemical Shift Reaction on a CO-Tolerant High-Entropy State Pt-Ru Anode Catalyst for Reliable and Efficient Residential Fuel Cell Systems

A randomly mixed monodispersed nanosized Pt-Ru catalyst, an ultimate catalyst for CO oxidation reaction, was prepared by the rapid quenching method. The mechanism of CO oxidation reaction on the Pt-Ru anode catalyst was elucidated by investigating the relation between the rate of CO oxidation reaction and the current density. The rate of CO oxidation reaction increased with an increase in unoccupied sites kinetically formed by hydrogen oxidation reaction, and the rate was independent of anode potential. Results of extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy showed the combination of N(Pt-Ru)/(N(Pt-Ru) + N(Pt-Pt)) ? M(Ru)/(M(Pt) + M(Ru)) and N(Ru-Pt)/(N(Ru-Pt) + N(Ru-Ru)) ? M(Pt)/(M(Ru) + M(Pt)), where N(Pt-Ru)(N(Ru-Pt)), N(Pt-Pt)(N(Ru-Ru)), M(Pt), and M(Ru) are the coordination numbers from Pt(Ru) to Ru(Pt) and Pt (Ru) to Pt (Ru) and the molar ratios of Pt and Ru, respectively. This indicates that Pt and Ru were mixed with a completely random distribution. A high-entropy state of dispersion of Pt and Ru could be maintained by rapid quenching from a high temperature. It is concluded that a nonelectrochemical shift reaction on a randomly mixed Pt-Ru catalyst is important to enhance the efficiency of residential fuel cell systems under operation conditions.     

导电聚合物/贵金属复合材料应用于C1小分子电催化氧化

低温燃料电池作为一种新型的能源装置,具有能量转换效率高、工作温度低、无污染、液体燃料处理简单、启动迅速等诸多优点,已成为世界各国竞相研究的热点。有机小分子的高效电催化氧化直接关系到低温燃料电池的发展和应用。低温燃料电池的电极材料主要是碳/贵金属复合材料,碳载体易导致贵金属粒子团聚、且易发生电氧化腐蚀等缺点降低了贵金属的利用率和电池的使用寿命。导电聚合物具有高的抗腐蚀性、高的表面积、低电阻和高稳定性得到很大关注。本文综述了近年来国内外导电聚合物/金属复合电极材料在燃料电池中的研究进展。     

直接甲醇燃料电池性能

采用商品Pt-Ru/C和Pt/C催化剂制备成甲醇阳极和氧阴极,Nafion-115为固体电解质膜,组装成面积为9cm^2单电池,研究了电池在放电运转过程中各种操作条件,如温度、氧气压力,甲醇浓度等对电池性能的影响,并考察了电池室温放电性能随时间的变化,发现增加电池的温度和 氧气压力均可明显提高电池性能,在合适的甲醇学及氧气压力下电池在室温具有一定的稳定放电性能。     

Highly Dispersed and Nano-sized Pt-based Electrocatalysts for Low-Temperature Fuel Cells

Among metals, Pt is so far the best material to be used as anode and cathode in low-temperature fuel cells. However, Pt has the drawback of being expensive and easily CO-poisoned. Thus, to produce useful electrocatalysts, significant efforts have been made worldwide on developing Pt-based catalysts with low Pt contents as well as searching for alternative materials with high catalytic activity for anodic and cathodic reactions in low-temperature fuel cells. This article presents the development of highly dispersed and nano-sized Pt-based electrocatalysts synthesized by several new methods based on our experimental results. In the case of anode materials, our proposed new method consists of the synthesis of Pt-based nanoparticles in order to maximize their surface availability, combined with the use of secondary metals that promote the oxidations of methanol and CO. On the other hand, for the cathode materials, the use of the Pt catalysts mixed with metal oxides enhances their oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity. We anticipate that the highly dispersed Pt-based nanoparticles introduced in this article will improve the performance of anode and cathode for low-temperature fuel cells.