壳聚糖/硝酸铁凝胶制备铁氮掺杂多孔碳片作为高效氧还原电催化剂的研究

以壳聚糖/硝酸铁凝胶为前躯体,实现了含氮高分子与金属盐的均匀混合,将凝胶冷冻干燥处理后,经过热处理和酸刻蚀得到了成分及微结构更加均匀的铁氮掺杂多孔碳片. 铁氮掺杂多孔碳片与商业铂碳相比,具有更高的起始电位,半波电位和优秀的循环性能,在碱性燃料电池的测试中实现了更高的功率密度. 铁氮掺杂多孔碳片出色的氧还原电催化性能归因于铁在壳聚糖中的原子级分散所导致的均匀分布的铁氮碳催化活性位,大的比表面积和均匀的孔道分布.     

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.     

Performance of planar electrode-supported high-temperature solid oxide fuel cell using syngas

In China, coal is a dominant energy source. In order to ensure China’s energy security, coal should be used efficiently and cleanly. Integrated gasification fuel cell hybrid power generation system is a promising system for coal utilization. It combines clean coal gasification technology with high efficient fuel cell technology. In this work, the performance of solid oxide fuel cell using syngas as fuel was investigated, based on the commercial computational fluid dynamic software and the developed program used to analyze chemical, electrochemical, heat/mass transfer, current, and electric potential. The results show that the temperature difference is about 300 K in the cell under all calculation conditions. Along the cell length, hydrogen concentration rapidly reduces, and its decrement is larger than that of carbon monoxide. The variation of current density in electrolyte layer is relatively small along the direction of gas flow, but it is obvious along the direction vertical to gas flow.     

Current challenges related to the deployment of shape-controlled Pt alloy oxygen reduction reaction nanocatalysts into low Pt-loaded cathode layers of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

The reduction of the amount of platinum used in proton exchange membrane fuel cell cathodes at constant power density helps lower the cell stack cost of fuel cell electric vehicles. Recent screening studies using the thin film rotating disk electrode technique have identified an ever-growing number of Pt-based nanocatalysts with oxygen reduction reaction Pt-mass activities that allow for a substantial projected decrease in the geometric platinum loading at the cathode layer. However, the step from a rotating disk electrode test to a membrane electrode assembly test has proved a formidable task. The deployment of advanced, often shape-controlled dealloyed Pt alloy nanocatalysts in actual cathode layers of proton exchange membrane fuel cells has remained extremely challenging with respect to their actual catalytic activity under hydrogen/oxygen flow, their hydrogen/air performance at high current densities, and their morphological stability under prolonged fuel cell operations. In this review, we discuss some of these challenges, yet also propose possible solutions to understand the challenges and to eventually unfold the full potential of advanced Pt-based alloy oxygen reduction reaction catalysts in fuel cell electrode layers.     

Microfluidic hydrogen fuel cell with a liquid electrolyte

We report the design and characterization of a microfluidic hydrogen fuel cell with a flowing sulfuric acid solution instead of a Nafion membrane as the electrolyte. We studied the effect of cell resistance, hydrogen and oxygen flow rates, and electrolyte flow rate on fuel cell performance to obtain a maximum power density of 191 mW/cm2. This flowing electrolyte design avoids water management issues, including cathode flooding and anode dry out. Placing a reference electrode in the outlet stream allows for independent analysis of the polarization losses on the anode and the cathode, thereby creating an elegant catalyst characterization and optimization tool.     

真空注浆法制备YSZ电解质膜管及其在固体氧化物燃料电池中的应用

以吡啶为分散剂,采用真空注浆法制备出膜厚为0.2mm、长度为140mm的致密YSZ电解质膜管。研究了烧结温度对样品致密度和离子导电率的影响.用1650℃烧结2h制备的致密YSZ电解质膜管组装成固体氧化物燃料电池,以氢气和煤气为燃料,研究了电池在500～900℃的电化学性能.实验结果表明,用真空注浆法可制备出高质量和高密度的YSZ电解质膜管,在1600℃烧结后,其相对密度已达到理论密度的98.1%,接近理论密度.单电池的开路电压最大值为1.213V,最大输出功率为0.48W.以氢气为燃料的燃料电池性能明显高于以煤气为燃料的电池性能.     

Fuel cell oxygen cathode with Nafion and platinum: the effect of active layer heating on overall cathode characteristics

A fuel cell with Nafion and platinum is considered. The effect of heating of the oxygen cathode active layer on the cathode overall characteristics (current and power density) is taken into account for the first time. Attention is focused on calculations of Tafel plots of oxygen cathodes and also on how the active layer temperature changes with the potential. Calculation parameters are as follows: fuel cell initial temperature, cathode active layer thickness, gas-diffusion layer effective heat conductivity and thickness. The following conditions of cathode operation are studied: (1) heat formed in the cathode active layer is almost completely removed, no active layer heating is observed, the active-layer temperature remains equal to that of fuel cell operation; (2) heat removal is impeded, the heat conductivity of the gas-diffusion layer is insufficiently high to remove heat. In the latter case, the active layer temperature may increase by several tens of degrees. A fundamental difference of Tafel plots for the catalytic layers studied in model experiments and the cathodic active layers is demonstrated. In the latter case, the first Tafel plot segment may extend further up to potentials of ∼0.6 V.     

Reversible Solid Oxide Fuel Cell for Power Accumulation and Generation

The anodic and cathodic polarization dependences for the oxygen electrode based on lanthanum-strontium manganite and the fuel Ni-cermet electrode are studied in the temperature range of 700–900°С in gas media that correspond to working conditions of a reversible fuel cell. The temporal behavior of these electrodes is studied in the course of periodic polarity changes of current with the density of 0.5 A/cm². The electrode overvoltage is shown to be about 0.1 V in modes of power generation and water electrolysis at 900°С and the current density of 0.5 A/cm². A single electrolyte supported tubular solid-oxide fuel cell was fabricated and tested in the fuel-cell and hydrogen-generation modes. It is found that at 900°С and overvoltage of 0.7 V, the cell generates the specific electric power of 0.4 W/cm² when the 50% H2 + 50% H₂O gas mixture is used as the fuel and air is used as the oxidizer. At the water electrolysis with the current density of 0.5 A/cm², which under normal conditions corresponds to generation of about 0.2 and 0.1 L/h of hydrogen and oxygen, respectively, the consumed power is about 0.55 W/cm². The efficiency of the conversion cycle electric power–hydrogen–electric power is 70–75%.     

Performance Assessment of a Perfluorosulfonic Acid‐type Membrane (i. e. Nafion™ 115) for an Enzymatic Fuel Cell

A high power enzymatic fuel‐cell was anticipated by using a recently developed glucose oxidase (GOx) immobilized bio‐anode, a conventional platinum?carbon based cathode and a popular high performance 125 μ‐thick perfluorosulfonic acid‐type proton exchange membrane (i. e. Nafion® 115). Unexpected current density decay from 2.13 mA cm^?2 to 0.28 mA cm^?2 was observed within 2 hours. Polarization measurements and AC impedance analysis indicated that loss of performance was linked to the membrane behavior. Ion exchange between buffer solution and membrane was perceived as the main cause for the fast performance loss. Saturation of the membrane with the cation in the buffer solution diminished proton transfer needed for cathode reaction. Charge transfer resistances, obtained from AC impedance data, increased with time substantially due to cation exchange within membrane. Replacement of membrane with the same enzyme electrode and cathode has resulted 100 % current density recovery on the fuel cell performance. It was concluded that a membrane, not affected by the buffer cations, was required for successful enzymatic fuel cell applications.     

Thermogravimetric investigation on combustion characteristics of oil shale and high sulphur coal mixture

Co-combustion experiments of mixture of Huadian oil shale and Heshan coal with high sulphur content have been conducted using a thermogravimetric analyzer. The effects of five different Ca/S mol ratios on the combustion characteristics of mixture fuel are analyzed using TG and DTG curves. The results show that the initial temperature of combustion of mixture fuel is decreased with an increase in the oil shale content of mixture fuel. The combustion characteristic of mixture fuel is superior to that of Heshan coal. Adding about 20 mass% Huadian oil shale into Heshan coal is feasible for desulfurization of mixture fuel during combustion.     

银在质子交换膜燃料电池空气阴极内促进氧传递研究

利用离子交换及随后的氢还原,将单质银负载在质子交换膜(Nafion)孔道内.TEM、XRD表征载银Nafion膜的结构,电化学极限电流法测定氧在载银Nafion膜内的扩散系数.结果表明,因银晶颗粒大于Nafion孔道直径,致使Nafion孔道有所扩张;氧在载银Nafion膜内的扩散系数是无银Nafion膜的4倍.据此,把银引入质子交换膜燃料电池空气阴极催化剂表面的Nafion薄层,则电池的性能在高电流密度下有明显的提高,显示了银对该电极内氧传递的促进作用.     

分级过程对LiFePO4/C电池性能的影响

本文采用磷酸铁工艺路线制备碳包覆的磷酸铁锂（LiFePO₄/C）复合正极材料,系统考察气流粉碎分级过程对LiFePO₄/C正极材料及全电池性能的影响. 研究表明：分级前磷酸铁锂颗粒粒度较大,中值粒径为17.37μm,呈规整球形形貌,具有较高的振实密度和碳含量;分级后球形被打碎,振实减小. 全电池测试结果显示：分级过程对全电池的容量、交流内阻、直流内阻、功率密度的影响较小;但分级前电芯的低温放电容量保持率和550周的高温循环保持率分别60.1%和87.5%,明显优于分级后的49.5%和84.7%. 分级前碳层能均匀包覆在磷酸铁锂表面形成均匀导电网络,而分级过程将磷酸铁锂的碳层有一定的剥离和破坏导致性能下降.     

阳极支撑层憎水性对被动式直接甲醇燃料电池传质性能的影响

通过测定甲醇渗透率,详细研究了阳极支撑层的聚四氟乙烯（PTFE）含量对全被动式直接甲醇燃料电池（DMFC）甲醇传质和电池性能的影响。 膜电极集合体均使用相同的阳极催化层,膜和阴极。 实验结果表明,随着阳极支撑层PTFE含量的提高,甲醇渗透速率明显减小。 其含量较高时,甲醇传质阻力较大,会导致电池在很低的电流密度下就出现传质控制区。 采用PTFE质量分数为40%的支撑层时,DMFC以9 mol/L甲醇为燃料最大功率密度可达32×10-3 W/cm2,也进一步证明了适当提高阳极支撑层的憎水性,既有助于减少甲醇的渗透,又缓解了阴极的“水淹”问题。     

Colloid-imprinted carbon with superb nanostructure as an efficient cathode electrocatalyst support in proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Novel colloid-imprinted carbon material CIC-22 with tailored mesopore size of ca. 22 nm was explored for the first time as a cathode electrocatalyst support in proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The CIC-22 possesses unique structural characteristics including nonmicropores, large specific surface area and pore volume, well-developed interconnected mesoporosity, and high electrical conductivity as well. The superb characteristics of the CIC-22 make it a highly efficient catalyst support for low-temperature fuel cell. The CIC-22-supported Pt has demonstrated a great improvement in electrocatalytic activity toward oxygen reduction reaction and an enhancement of ca. 70% in power density in comparison with commercial carbon black Vulcan XC 72-supported one.     

Investigation of the role of the micro-porous layer in polymer electrolyte fuel cells with hydrogen deuterium contrast neutron radiography

In this study, the high resolution hydrogen-deuterium contrast radiography method was applied to elucidate the impact of the micro-porous layer (MPL) on water distribution in the porous fuel cell media. At the steady state, deuterium replaced hydrogen in the anode stream, and the large difference in neutron attenuation of the D(2)O produced at the cathode was used to track the produced water. It was found that the water content peaked in the cathode-side diffusion media (DM) for the cell without MPL, but with an MPL on the anode and cathode DM, the peak water amount was pushed toward the anode, resulting in a relatively flattened water profile through components and demonstrating a liquid barrier effect. Additionally, the dynamic water behavior in diffusion media was analyzed to understand the effect of a MPL and operating conditions. The water content in the DM changed with applied current, although there is a significant amount of residual liquid content that does not appear to be part of capillary channels. The effect of the MPL on irreducible saturation in DM and cell performance was also investigated.     

Degradation processes in hydrogen–air fuel cell as a function of the operating conditions and composition of membrane–electrode assemblies

The optimal composition of membrane–electrode assemblies and operating conditions of hydrogen–air fuel cells, which provide a high efficiency and stability of catalytically active cathode layers and the fuel cell as a whole are determined for commercial monoplatinum electrocatalysts on the highly dispersed carbon support containing 60–70 wt % Pt. The degradation processes in the Pt/C catalysts are studied by a complex of electrochemical methods and the methods of structural analysis.     

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.     

Fuel cell with polymer electrolyte: calculation of overall characteristics of oxygen cathode with account for processes of gas,vapor, and heat exchange

Computer simulation was performed for the processes occurring in the basic elements of the cathode (active layer, gas-diffusion layer) and bipolar plate of a fuel cell with Nafion as electrolyte and a platinum catalyst. Current generation in the active layer was considered together with the heat exchange processes (release of the heat formed in the active layer through the gas-diffusion layer into the bipolar plate), gas and vapor exchange in the gas-diffusion layer and process of the gas reagent (oxygen) saturation by water vapor in the bipolar plate channels. Voltammetric curves and dependences on the cathode potential of the power density, vapor flow dissipated from the active layer to the bipolar plate, actual active layer temperature and reduced partial pressures of oxygen and water vapors near the interface between the active and gas-diffusion layers were calculated. Analysis is performed of the way the heating of the cathode active layer intensifies the process of current generation in it, significantly increasing the value of overall characteristics of the cathode (current and power density).     

Hydrogen-oxygen (air) fuel cell with nafion and platinum: Calculating overall characteristics,comparing the performance of a cathode with polymeric electrolyte with a hydrophobized cathode with liquid electrolyte

Results of calculating the major overall characteristics of both an individual cathode and the whole hydrogen-oxygen (air) fuel cell with Nafion and platinum are shown. The effect of varying the parameters of both the active layer and the polymeric-electrolyte membrane on the overall characteristics of such a fuel cell is analyzed. The mechanisms of operation of active layers of hydrophobized cathodes and cathodes containing Nafion are compared. These two electrode types demonstrate a qualitative difference in the current generation mechanisms. As a result, the current in cathodes with Nafion increases more actively with the increase in over-potential (in proportion with exp [η₀/2], where η₀ is the cathodic overpotential) as compared with the case of hydrophobized cathodes (here the current ～ exp[η₀/4]). This explains the fact that a fuel cell with Nafion demonstrates so high power characteristics as compared with a fuel cell with hydrophobized electrodes and liquid electrolyte.     

Single SOFC with Supporting Ni-YSZ Anode,Bilayer YSZ/GDC Film Electrolyte,and La<Subscript>2</Subscript>NiO<Subscript>4 + δ</Subscript> Cathode

Characteristics of fuel cells with supporting Ni-YSZ anode, bilayer YSZ/GDC electrolyte with the thickness of 10 μm, and La₂NiO_{4 + δ} cathode are studied. It is shown that when humid (3% water) hydrogen is supplied to the anode and air is supplied to the cathode, the maximum values of cell’s power density are 1.05 and 0.75 W/cm² at 900 and 800°С, respectively. After the introduction of praseodymium oxide and ceria into the cathode and the anode, respectively, the power density is ca. 1 W/cm² at 700°С. It is found that the power density of a cell with impregnated electrodes weakly increases with the increase in temperature to ca. 1.4 W/cm² at 900°С. The analysis of impedance spectra by the distribution of relaxation times shows that such behavior is associated with the gas-diffusion resistance of the SOFC anode. The latter is explained by the low porosity of the anode and the high rate of fuel consumption.