Comparative characteristics of cathodes with different catalytic systems in hydrogen–oxygen and hydrogen–air fuel cells with proton-conducting polymer electrolyte

The characteristics of low-temperature hydrogen–oxygen (air) fuel cell (FC) with cathodes based on the 50 wt % PtCoCr/C and 40 wt % Pt/CNT catalysts synthesized on XC72 carbon black and carbon nanotubes (CNT) are compared with the characteristics of commercial monoplatinum systems 9100 60 wt % Pt/C and 13100 70% Pt/C HiSPEC. It is shown that the synthesized catalysts exhibit a high mass activity, which is not lower than that of commercial Pt/C catalysts, a high selectivity with respect to the oxygen reduction to water, and a significantly higher stability. The characteristics of PtCoCr/C and Pt/CNT were confirmed by testing in the hydrogen—oxygen FCs. However, when air was used at the cathode, especially in the absence of excessive pressure, a voltage of FC with the cathode based on PtCoCr/XC72 is lower as compared with the commercial systems. Probably, this is associated with the transport limitations in the structure of trimetallic catalyst synthesized on XC72 carbon black due to the absence of mesopores. This drawback was eliminated to a large extent by raising the volume of mesopores as a result of application of mixed support (XC72 + CNT) and the use of only CNT for the synthesis of the monoplatinum catalyst. However, this did not eliminate another drawback, namely, a low platinum utilization coefficient in the cathode active layer as compared with that measured under the model conditions in the 0.5 M Н₂SO₄ solution. Therefore, further research is required to improve the structure of the catalytic systems, which are synthesized both on carbon black and nanotubes, while maintaining their high stability and selectivity.     

Developing a membrane-electrode assembly with reduced Pt content for a hydrogen—air fuel cell based on a PtCoCr catalyst and F-950 membrane

Laboratory methods are developed for forming an active layer (AL) with a synthesized PtCoCr catalyst (20 wt % Pt) on the F-950 perfluorinated membrane. AL composition and the conditions for forming 3- and 5-layer membrane-electrode assemblies (MEA) are optimized. Reproducible, stable, and high-discharge characteristics are obtained for a hydrogen-air fuel cell (HAFC). At a current density of 0.5 A/cm², the voltage of an MEA with cathode based on a PtCoCr catalyst is 0.66–0.68 V, and the maximum power density is 500 mW/cm². Replacing the commercial HiSPEC 4000 catalyst (40 wt % Pt) with PtCoCr (20 wt % Pt) in the AL composition of the cathode makes it possible to reduce Pt consumption by a factor of two without decreasing MEA discharge characteristics. The parameters that characterize the catalytic activity of catalysts under model conditions and in the MEA cathode composition are shown to be correlated.     

Kinetic Isotope Effect as a Tool To Investigate the Oxygen Reduction Reaction on Pt-based Electrocatalysts – Part I: High-loading Pt/C and Pt Extended Surface

Kinetic isotope effect (KIE) was used to study the rate-determining step for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on dispersed Pt/C electrocatalyst and polycrystalline Pt (Pt-poly). KIE is defined as the ratio of the kinetic current measured in protonated electrolyte versus deuterated electrolyte, with KIE values larger than one indicating proton participation in the rate-determining step. The effect of poisoning anions on the platinum rate determining step is investigated by assessing the KIE in perchloric (non-poisoning) and sulfuric acid-based electrolytes. The kinetics currents were calculated using the Koutechy-Levich and Tafel analysis. A KIE of 1 was observed for Pt/C (with a 40 wt.% Pt loading) and Pt-poly, thus indicating that, on 40 wt. % Pt/C and Pt-poly, the rate determining step is proton independent.     

γ-Ray irradiation as highly efficient approach for synthesis of supported high Pt loading cathode catalyst for application in direct methanol fuel cell

In this study, a γ-ray irradiation approach without addition of any commonly used reducing chemicals has been explored to synthesize carbon-supported high Pt loading (i.e., 80 wt.%) cathode catalyst for direct methanol fuel cell. Compared with the Pt catalyst prepared by impregnation-NaBH₄ reduction approach, the supported Pt catalyst synthesized by γ-ray irradiation has better dispersion of Pt nanoparticles on the carbon support with smaller particle size and narrower size distribution and has demonstrated enhanced catalytic activity toward oxygen reduction reaction and improved fuel cell performance.     

Carbon nanotubes as efficient catalyst supports for fuel cells with direct ethanol oxidation

Several carbon materials, namely, single-walled nanotubes (CNT1), two-walled nanotubes (CNT2), multiwalled nanotubes (CNT3), and nanofibers (CNF) are synthesized by methane pyrolysis. The resulting nanomaterials are characterized by physical (BET) and electrochemical (charging curves) methods. A catalyst of ethanol electrooxidation PtSn (3: 1, 40 wt % Pt) that involves the mentioned nanomaterials as the supports is synthesized. The catalyst formed on two-walled nanotubes demonstrates the highest activity in ethanol oxidation under model conditions. X-ray diffraction analysis is used in studying the PtSn (3: 1, 40 wt % Pt)/CNT2 catalyst structure. The attained depth of ethanol oxidation is determined by the gas-liquid chromatography. Tests of an ethanol-oxygen fuel cell (FC) with the anodic active layer (AL) based on this catalyst are carried out.     

Catalysts of ethanol anodic oxidation for ethanol-air fuel cell with a proton-conducting polymer electrolyte

Synthesis techniques for binary PtSn, PdM (M = Sn, V, Mo) and ternary PtSnNi, PtRuSn catalysts of ethanol electrooxidation on highly dispersed carbon materials are suggested. The highest activity in the 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution containing 1 M C₂H₅OH corresponds to the system of PtSn (3: 1, 40 wt % Pt) with the particle size of 2–4 nm and tin content in the alloy with platinum of about 6%. It was shown that the catalyst efficiency as regards ethanol oxidation depth decreases in the series of Pt > PtRu ≈ PtSn, and the catalyst activity by current forms the series of PtSn > PtRu > Pt. The membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) with the anodes on the basis of the PtSn (3: 1, 40 wt % Pt) catalyst had stable characteristics for 220 h at the current density of ∼50 mA/cm².     

PDDA修饰的碳纳米管载铂电催化剂的合成及其在碱性条件下的氧气还原反应催化性能

采用长链聚合物聚二烯丙基二甲基氯化铵(PDDA)对多壁碳纳米管(MWCNTs)进行修饰,并将采用胶体法还原出的铂(Pt)纳米粒子通过静电作用担载于PDDA修饰的多壁碳纳米管上,从而制备出Pt/PDDA/MWCNTs复合电催化剂.透射电镜(TEM)与X射线衍射(XRD)测试结果表明, Pt纳米粒子均匀地分布在MWCNTs的表面,其平均粒径约为3.6 nm.热失重分析显示催化剂的实际负载量为36%(w).旋转圆盘电极测试结果表明, Pt/PDDA/MWCNTs催化剂对碱性条件下的氧气还原反应(ORR)具有优异的催化活性.与负载量为40%(w)的商业Pt/C催化剂相比, Pt/PDDA/MWCNTs催化剂的氧气还原反应的起始电位和半波电位均正移约30 mV,其质量比活性更大.动力学研究结果进一步证实Pt/PDDA/MWCNTs催化剂比负载量为40%(w)的商业Pt/C催化剂在碱性条件下对氧气还原反应具有更优异的催化活性.     

Catalytic behaviors of magnesia-supported polytitanazane–platinum complex on the oxygenation of 3-heptanol

A kind of inorganic polymer–platinum complex, magnesia-supported polytitanazane–platinum complex (MgO-Ti-N–Pt), was prepared and used to catlayze the oxygenation of 3-heptanol. It was found that this kind of catalyst was very active and stable in the reaction. The objective product (3-heptanone) was obtained near 100% yield in 40 hr under moderate reaction temperature and atmospheric oxygen pressure.     

Hydrogenation of Anthracene and Dehydrogenation of Perhydroanthracene on Pt/C Catalysts

The hydrogenation of anthracene on a heterogeneous catalyst containing 3 wt % Pt/C (Aldrich) at 215, 245, and 280°C and the pressures of 40 and 90 atm is studied. The hydrogenation of anthracene to a completely hydrogenated product is considered in detail. The final product (perhydroanthracene) consists of five conformational isomers with total selectivity of more than 99%. The ratio of perhydroanthracene isomers in the end product is shown to be determined by the conditions (P, T) of hydrogenation. The rate of hydrogenation is found to slow upon an increase in the degree of benzene ring saturation. A mixture of perhydroanthracene isomers is dehydrogenated in an autoclave at 260?325°C on 3 wt % Pt/C catalyst (Aldrich) and in a flow reactor at 300–360°C on 3 wt% Pt/Sibunit catalyst. The reactivity of perhydroanthracene isomers in dehydrogenation is shown to differ.     

Differential thermal analysis of PtO2/carbon

The reactions between Pt oxides and carbon black in helium and air were examined by DTA. The thermograms were dependent on the mode of sample preparation. 20 wt.% PtO₂ supported on carbon catalyst heated in He at 10°C min⁻¹ produced an exotherm at approximately 400°C. Physical mixtures of PtO₂ and carbon only reacted at a higher temperature (approximately 550°C) in He where PtO₂ is thermally decomposed to Pt and O₂. In air, Pt catalyzed the oxidation of cabon in the 20 wt.%Pt supported on carbon sample. On the other hand, PtO₂ in the physical mixture did not appear to catalyze the oxidation of carbon in air. This difference in behavior is explained by assuming that atomic oxygen is produced in the supported catalyst sample which reacts at low temperature with carbon. In the physical mixture, thermal decomposition of PtO₂ yields molecular oxygen which reacts with carbon at a higher temperature than does atomic oxygen.     

Stabilizing a Platinum1 Single‐Atom Catalyst on Supported Phosphomolybdic Acid without Compromising Hydrogenation Activity

In coordination chemistry, catalytically active metal complexes in a zero‐ or low‐valent state often adopt four‐coordinate square‐planar or tetrahedral geometry. By applying this principle, we have developed a stable Pt₁ single‐atom catalyst with a high Pt loading (close to 1 wt %) on phosphomolybdic acid(PMA)‐modified active carbon. This was achieved by anchoring Pt on the four‐fold hollow sites on PMA. Each Pt atom is stabilized by four oxygen atoms in a distorted square‐planar geometry, with Pt slightly protruding from the oxygen planar surface. Pt is positively charged, absorbs hydrogen easily, and exhibits excellent performance in the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene and cyclohexanone. It is likely that the system described here can be extended to a number of stable SACs with superior catalytic activities.     

Reaction space organization effect on propane pyrolysis in the presence of a nickel-copper catalyst

Propane pyrolysis at atmospheric pressures and temperatures of 500–700°C in the presence of a bimetallic catalyst containing 50 wt % Ni, 40 wt % Cu, and a silicon dioxide textural promoter has been investigated. It has been established experimentally that the reactor geometry and the way the reactants are let in and out exert an effect on the catalytic pyrolysis. The overall process rate is mainly determined by the heterogeneous reaction occurring on the catalyst surface. The homogeneous constituent of the process has an effect on the propane conversion at the early stages of the reaction.     

Nanostructured PtRu/C as anode catalysts prepared in a pseudomicroemulsion with ionic surfactant for direct methanol fuel cell

Nanostructured PtRu/C catalysts have been prepared from a water-in-oil pseudomicroemulsion with the aqueous phase of a mixed concentrated solution of H(2)PtCl(6), RuCl(3), and carbon powder, oil phase of cyclohexane, ionic surfactant of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (C(18)H(29)NaO(3)S), and cosurfactant n-butanol (C(4)H(10)O). Two different composing PtRu/C nanocatalysts (catalyst 1, Pt 20 wt %, Ru 15 wt %; catalyst 2, Pt 20 wt %, Ru 10 wt %) were synthesized. The catalysts were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis, and the particles were found to be nanosized (2-4 nm) and inherit the Pt face-centered cubic structure with Pt and Ru mainly in the zero valance oxidation state. The ruthenium oxide and hydrous ruthenium oxide (RuO(x)()H(y)()) were also found in these catalysts. The cyclic voltammograms (CVs) and chronoamperometries for methanol oxidation on these catalysts showed that catalyst 1 with a higher Ru content (15 wt %) has a higher and more durable electrocatalytic activity to methanol oxidation than catalyst 2 with low Ru content (10 wt %). The CV results for catalysts 1 and 2 strongly support the bifunctional mechanism of PtRu/C catalysts for methanol oxidation. The data from direct methanol single cells using these two PtRu/C as anode catalysts show the cell with catalyst 1 has higher open circuit voltage (OCV = 0.75 V) and maximal power density (78 mW/cm(2)) than that with catalyst 2 (OCV = 0.70 V, P(max) = 56 mW/cm(2)) at 80 degrees C.     

Activity, stability and degradation of multi walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) supported Pt fuel cell electrocatalysts

Understanding and improving durability of fuel cell catalysts are currently one of the major goals in fuel cell research. Here, we present a comparative stability study of multi walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and conventional carbon supported platinum nanoparticle electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The aim of this study was to obtain insight into the mechanisms controlling degradation, in particular the role of nanoparticle coarsening and support corrosion effects. A MWCNT-supported 20 wt.% Pt catalyst and a Vulcan XC 72R-supported 20 wt.% Pt catalyst with a BET surface area of around 150 m(2) g(-1) and with a comparable Pt mean particle size were subjected to electrode potential cycling in a "lifetime" stability regime (voltage cycles between 0.5 to 1.0 V vs. RHE) and a "start-up" stability regime (cycles between 0.5 to 1.5 V vs. RHE). Before, during and after potential cycling, the ORR activity and structural/morphological (XRD, TEM) characteristics were recorded and analyzed. Our results did not indicate any activity benefit of MWCNT support for the kinetic rate of ORR. In the "lifetime" regime, the MWCNT supported Pt catalyst showed clearly smaller electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) and mass activity losses compared to the Vulcan XC 72R supported Pt catalyst. In the "start-up" regime, Pt on MWCNT exhibited a reduced relative ECSA loss compared to Pt on Vulcan XC 72R. We directly imaged the trace of a migrating platinum particle inside a MWCNT suggesting enhanced adhesion between Pt atoms and the graphene tube walls. Our data suggests that the ECSA loss differences between the two catalysts are not controlled by particle growth. We rather conclude that over the time scale of our stability tests (10,000 potential cycles and beyond), the macroscopic ECSA loss is primarily controlled by carbon corrosion associated with Pt particle detachment and loss of electrical contact.     

Smart synthesis of hollow core mesoporous shell carbons (HCMSC) as effective catalyst supports for methanol oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions

The present paper describes an easy and quick synthesis of hollow core mesoporous shell carbon (HCMSC) simply templated from unpretreated solid core mesoporous shell silica using a cheap precursor like sucrose. Physical characterizations showed uniform spherical carbon capsules with a hollow macroporous core of ca. 305- and 55-nm-thick mesoporous shell, forming a well-developed 3-D interconnected bimodal porosity. High specific surface area and large pore volume were also confirmed, suggesting the obtained HCMSC as a promising catalyst support. HCMSC-supported Pt (nominal 20 wt.%) with an average Pt particle size of 1.9 nm was synthesized by wet impregnation, and a signal of strong interaction between carbon support and platinum was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry tests, the Pt/HCMSC electrode showed significantly higher electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) if compared with commercial Pt/Vulcan catalyst. The durability tests by cyclic voltammetry showed for the Pt/HCMSC a lower electrochemical active surface area loss than the commercial one in acidic solution. All the primary tests suggested that the Pt/HCMSC, due to its particular structure and the high dispersion of noble metal particles, is a promising catalyst for fuel cell applications, for MOR and ORR.     

Oxygen‐Tolerant Electrodes with Platinum‐Loaded Covalent Triazine Frameworks for the Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction

Reducing the use of platinum (Pt) on polymer electrolyte fuel cell anodes is critical for the widespread dissemination of these energy conversion systems. Although Pt usage can be minimized by the even dispersion of isolated Pt atoms, no atomically dispersed Pt catalysts that promote hydrogen oxidation at a rate required for practical fuel cells have been reported to date. Covalent triazine frameworks with atomically dispersed Pt atoms (0.29 wt %) are described and it is demonstrated that the material has a high electrocatalytic hydrogen oxidation activity without an overpotential. Importantly, when the loading amount was increased to 2.8 wt %, the electrocatalytic hydrogen oxidation activity of the resulting electrode was comparable to that of commercial carbon supported 20 wt % Pt catalysts, and the catalytic activity for oxygen reduction was markedly reduced. Thus, Pt‐modified covalent triazine frameworks selectively catalyze hydrogen oxidation, even in the presence of dissolved oxygen, which is critical for limiting cathode degradation during the start–stop cycles of fuel cells.     

Cyclohexane dehydrogenation on a copper-platinum catalyst

The reaction of the dehydrogenation of cyclohexane on a copper-platinum catalyst supported by silica gel (1 wt % Pt + 0.15 wt % Cu)/SiO₂ was studied. The state of the catalyst surface was investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was established that under both flow and static conditions, the activity of the copper-platinum catalyst is higher than the activity of a catalyst containing 1 wt % Pt/SiO₂. The rise in activity as a result of the introduction of copper, due to a decrease in the activation energy, is explained by an increase in the fraction of carbon in the composition of active centers localized on particles of neutral (Pt _m ⁰) and positively charged (Pt _n ^+δ) platinum, and by the formation of centers with increased activity as a result of the adsorption of Cu^+δ on particles of Pt _m ⁰. It was demonstrated that treating the copper-platinum catalyst with the plasma of a glow discharge in argon and oxygen increases its activity, while treatment in high-frequency H₂ plasma reduces it. The indicated changes in the activity are associated with the alteration of the activation energies and the number of active centers, revealed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, that depend on changes in the catalyst surface composition.     

Effect of cobalt weight content on the structure and catalytic properties of Co/CNT catalysts in the fischer–tropsch synthesis

Cobalt-based Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) catalysts containing 1 to 40 wt % cobalt supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been investigated. The CNTs have been characterized by low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. All catalysts have been prepared by impregnating, with an ethanolic solution of cobalt nitrate, the CNTs preoxidized with concentrated nitric acid and have been tested in the FTS at 220°C and atmospheric pressure. Correlations have been established between the cobalt weight content of the catalyst and the Co particle size determined by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The Co content and particle size have an effect on the activity and selectivity of the catalyst and on the target fraction (C₅₊) yield in the FTS. The highest CO conversion is observed for the catalyst containing 20 wt % Co; the highest selectivity and activity, for the catalyst containing 5 wt % Co; the highest C₅₊ yield, for the catalyst containing 10 wt % Co.     

Platinum/mesoporous WO3 as a carbon-free electrocatalyst with enhanced electrochemical activity for methanol oxidation

A new type of carbon-free electrode catalyst, Pt/mesoporous WO3 composite, has been prepared and its electrochemical activity for methanol oxidation has been investigated. The mesoporous tungsten trioxide support was synthesized by a replicating route and the mesoporous composties with Pt loaded were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen sorption, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) techniques. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), line scan voltammetry (LSV) and chronoamperometry (CA) were adopted to characterize the electrochemical activities of the composites. The mesoporous WO3 showed high surface area, ordered pore structure, and nanosized wall thickness of about 6-7 nm. When a certain amount of Pt nanoparticles were dispersed in the pore structure of mesoporous WO3, the resultant mesostructured Pt/WO3 composites exhibit high electro-catalytic activity toward methanol oxidation. The overall electro-catalytic activities of 20 wt % Pt/WO3 composites are significantly higher than that of commercial 20 wt % Pt/C catalyst and are comparable to the 20 wt % PtRu/C catalyst in the potential region of 0.5-0.7 V. The enhanced electro-catalytic activity is attributed to be resulted from the assistant catalytic effect and the mesoporous structure of WO3 supports.     

Self-supported interconnected Pt nanoassemblies as highly stable electrocatalysts for low-temperature fuel cells

In it for the long haul: Clusters of Pt nanowires (3D Pt nanoassemblies, Pt?NA) serve as an electrocatalyst for low-temperature fuel cells. These Pt nanoassemblies exhibit remarkably high stability following thousands of voltage cycles and good catalytic activity, when compared with a commercial Pt?catalyst and 20?%?wt Pt?catalyst supported on carbon black (20?% Pt/CB).