Low-temperature direct ammonia fuel cells: Recent developments and remaining challenges

Low-temperature direct ammonia fuel cells (DAFCs) are fueled directly by ammonia, a carbon-neutral fuel stored in the liquid state under low pressure. Liquid ammonia has advantages over compressed hydrogen gas, including higher energy density and facilitated distribution and refill. The beginning-of-life performance reported until recently for low-temperature DAFCs has been substantially lower than that of polymer electrolyte fuel cells fueled by hydrogen. We discuss here promising recent advances in electrocatalyst development, cell performance, and cell performance stability for low-temperature DAFCs, including beginning-of-life peak power density of 420 mW/cm², and operation over several days at constant current. In addition, we describe technology gaps that must be closed for low-temperature DAFCs to achieve the performance required for practical applications.     

铂纳米棒有序阵列催化电极在被动式直接甲醇燃料电池中的应用

直接甲醇燃料电池(DMFC)具有能量密度高、无需充电、液体燃料添加便捷及环境友好等优点,是新一代便携式移动电源研究热点. DMFC规模应用的主要技术挑战是如何进一步提高电池性能、显著降低成本和可靠延长寿命.催化电极作为 DMFC发电核心和成本的集中体现,其电催化活性和贵金属用量直接影响 DMFC的性能和成本,开发高性能、低成本的催化电极对推进 DMFC实用化进程具有重要意义.特别是在被动式 DMFC中,阴极催化电极不仅需要提高电催化活性和大幅降低贵金属用量,而且还面临内部严重的“水淹”和氧传质受限等问题.近年来,随着纳米技术发展,有序纳米结构已逐渐应用于 DMFC催化电极的构筑中,电池性能得到显著提高.然而,目前的研究主要集中在膜电极纳米有序微孔层、纳米有序改性膜和纳米有序阳极催化电极及其阳极贵金属载量降低等方面,关于阴极催化电极在有序纳米结构以及载量降低等方面的研究相对较少.
　　本文采用模板法直接在微孔层上电沉积定向生长排列有序、直径可控的铂纳米棒阵列,并作为阴极催化电极应用于被动式 DMFC. X射线衍射和透射电镜结果表明,该铂纳米棒结构稳定,表面含有丰富的纳米晶须结构,有利于催化电极比表面积增加和电催化活性提高.不同催化电极上氧还原的极化曲线表明电极性能依下列次序变化：直径为200 nm铂纳米棒阵列电极>100 nm铂纳米棒阵列电极>商业化铂黑催化电极.电池性能表征表明,长度为1–3μm、直径分别为200和100 nm、载量为1.0 mg/cm2的铂纳米棒阵列作为阴极催化电极的 DMFC最大功率密度分别为17.3和12.0 mW/cm2.通过催化电极电化学活性面积和阻抗测试,分析其性能提高的原因可归结于有序排列的铂纳米棒阵列结构提高了电化学活性面积、增强了氧还原电催化活性并促进了阴极氧的传质.     

X-ray absorption fine structure and scanning transmission electron microscopic analysis of polymer electrolyte fuel cells

We introduce nano-X-ray absorption fine structure and scanning transmission electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, which are identical location measurement methods that can provide complementary information on the various constituents of polymer electrolyte fuel cells. In these methods, the membrane electrode assembly samples were measured ex situ in conditions as close as possible to those in fuel cells under humid N₂. The sample preparation and measurement optimization are important. Herein, we mainly reported on these identical location measurement methods, that is, the nano-X-ray absorption fine structure and scanning transmission electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and then discuss the results that could be obtained.     

X-ray absorption spectroscopic studies on solid oxide fuel cells and proton-conducting ceramic fuel cells

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is one of the best techniques to obtain the information on the electronic and local structures of materials. In the last few decades, XAS becomes a common analytical technique for the investigation of solid oxide fuel cells and proton-conducting ceramic fuel cells. In particular, operando and/or advanced XAS measurements can be recently available with the increased accessibility of synchrotron radiation. In this article, recent trends of solid oxide fuel cell and proton-conducting ceramic fuel cell researches using XAS are overviewed.     

Nafion perfluorinated membranes in fuel cells

Increasing global energy requirements, localized power issues and the need for less environmental impact are now providing even more incentive to make fuel cells a reality. A number of technologies have been demonstrated to be feasible for generation of power from fuel cells over the last several years. Proton exchange membranes (PEM) have emerged as an essential factor in the technology race. DuPont has supplied Nafion^® perfluorinated membranes in fuel cells for space travel for more than 35 years and they have played an integral part in the success of recent work in portable, stationary and transportation applications. The basis for PEM fuel cell emergence and DuPont technology utilization will be discussed.     

阴极催化剂对微生物燃料电池性能的影响

以不同载量的MnO_2/rGO和Pt/C修饰阴极电极构建了生物阴极型双室微生物燃料电池(MFC),考察了不同阴极催化剂修饰MFC对其产电性能以及老龄垃圾渗滤液主要污染物去除效果的影响。结果表明,以MnO_2/rGO修饰MFC阴极电极材料,能显著提高MFC产电性能及对老龄垃圾渗滤液中污染物去除效果;输出电压为372 mV,功率密度为194 mW/m~3(是未经催化剂修饰MFC的两倍),内阻为264Ω,化学需氧量(COD)和氨氮(NH_3-N)去除率分别为58.68%和76.64%。当MnO_2/rGO载量为.0 mg/cm~2时,MFC性能与负载Pt/C的MFC性能接近,但构建成本却明显降低。     

Direct methanol fuel cells for vehicular applications

Dramatic technological advances for the proton exchange membrane fuel cell have focused attention on this technology for motor vehicles. The fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) have the potential to compete with the petroleum-fueled internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) in cost and performance while effectively addressing air quality, energy insecurity, and global warming concerns. Methanol being a liquid can be easily transported and can be supplied from the existing network of oil company distribution sites. Recently, combining improved catalysts with fuel cell engineering, it has been possible to overcome some of the difficulties that have frustrated previous research and development efforts in realizing a commercially viable direct methanol fuel cell. Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) with power densities between 0.2 and 0.4 W/cm² at operational temperatures in the range 95–130 °C have been developed. These power densities are sufficient to suggest that stack construction is well worth while. This paper reviews recent advances and technical challenges in the field of DMFCs. Received: 27 May 1997 / Accepted: 25 November 1997     

电极面积对老龄垃圾渗滤液为底物的微生物燃料电池性能影响

构建生物阴极型双室微生物燃料电池,处理老龄垃圾渗滤液。研究了阳极与阴极面积比值对微生物燃料电池产电能力和对老龄垃圾渗滤液处理效果的影响。结果表明,阳极与阴极面积比为1:2、2:2、2:1的3组生物阴极型微生物燃料电池输出电压分别为408、452、396mV,最大电功率密度分别为145.73、237.65、136.50mW/m³,内阻分别为350、200、400Ω,COD的去除率分别为21.18%、20.20%、22.31%。3组微生物燃料电池运行30d后,垃圾渗滤液中氨氮、硝酸盐氮、亚硝酸盐氮浓度均下降,其中,氨氮去除率分别为80.88%、73.61%和66.17%,其去除效果与产电性能相关。     

Performance of direct dimethyl ether fuel cells at low temperature

The performance of direct dimethyl ether fuel cells (DDMEFC) is presented in this study at the relatively low temperature of 80 °C. At temperatures lower than 100 °C, since water exists as liquid but DME as a gas, it is difficult for them to use simultaneously as fuel for DDMEFCs even with the low solubility of DME in water at atmospheric pressure. It has been found that the use of an interdigitated flow field enhances the performance of DDMEFC by facilitating the phase mixing of DME and water. Palladium (Pd) catalyst is not nearly electrochemically active to the anode reaction of DDMEFC and platinum–ruthenium (Pt–Ru) catalyst has been found to be effective anode catalysts for DDMEFC at low temperature.     

燃料电池聚合物电解质膜的研究进展

本文根据聚合物电解质膜燃料电池操作温度、使用的电解质和燃料的不同,将其分为高温质子交换膜燃料电池、低温质子换膜燃料电池、直接甲醇燃料电池和阴离子交换膜燃料电池,综述了它们所用电解质膜的最新进展.第一部分简要介绍了这4种燃料电池的优点和不足.第二部分首先介绍了Nafion膜的结构模型,并对平行柱状纳米水通道模型在介观尺度上进行了修正;接着分别对应用于不同燃料电池的改性膜的改性思路作了分析;最后讨论了用于不同燃料电池的新型质子交换膜的研究,同时列举了性能突出的改性膜和新型质子交换膜.第三部分介绍了阴离子交换膜的研究现状.第四部分对未来聚合物电解质膜的研究作了展望.     

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).     

碳纤维基PtSn催化剂直接乙醇燃料电池制备及性能研究

采用自制的碳纤维基PtSn催化剂薄膜作为阳极催化剂,商用Pt/C作为阴极催化剂,Nafion 115膜作为质子交换膜,通过热压制成膜电极,组装平板型直接乙醇燃料单电池,搭建测试系统并进行性能的测试,研究了温度、乙醇浓度、溶液流量、进气流量等参数对DEFC的影响。结果表明,当乙醇溶液浓度为1.0 mol/L、溶液进样流量为1.0 mL/min、溶液温度为80 ℃、氧气进样流量为100 mL/min时结果较优,单电池的最高功率密度达18.2 mW/cm²。     

直接甲醇燃料电池纳米结构电催化材料及多孔电极研究

直接甲醇燃料电池(DMFC)因其燃料能量密度高,工作温度低,低污染排放等优点被认为是用作移动设备电源的最佳选择之一,至今已有美国的Oorja Protonics公司和丹麦的IRD公司等新能源相关企业相继发布了多款用于手机、电脑、通信基站、叉式装卸机或房车的商业产品.然而, DMFC内部的复杂情况造成的多种不同的电压损失仍旧使得其实际电压效率远低于理论值.其中从阳极渗透到阴极的甲醇造成的混合电位导致的电压损失尤为明显.目前,众多研究人员都致力于开发高稳定性、高耐久性、高性能且低成本的催化材料体系,以克服传统Pt催化剂存在的各种问题.除了催化剂本身之外, DMFC的问题还与其中膜电极的微结构和电化学特性息息相关.膜电极是化学能通过电催化氧化还原反应转化为电能的反应场所,通常由阳极扩散层、阳极催化层、质子交换膜、阴极催化层和阴极扩散层依序组合而成.通过对MEA中的各层进行优化,如传质管理和甲醇渗透等问题都能得到有效解决.
　　近年来,纳米技术常被用于改进DMFC性能的研究.具备纳米结构的金属-碳/金属氧化物载体类催化材料得到了广泛研究.这些电催化材料在制备方法、结构和组分上都有较大区别.结构方面,许多研究都证明制备纳米级多孔网络结构或者有序阵列结构的催化层有助于提高催化性能和Pt的利用率.组分方面,许多研究人员都开展了引入Pt以外金属成分或金属氧化物来改变Pt催化剂的表面电子状态的研究.引入这些组分导致的配位体效应可以通过弱化Pt与H+, OH-或COads等的相互作用来起到抗催化毒化和提高催化效率的作用.尽管对于DMFC领域的认知逐渐完善,但是仍有许多问题有待解决.因此,本文介绍了目前用于DMFC的纳米结构电催化材料和多孔电极的研究进展.重点介绍了纳米结构催化剂和载体材料的合成及表征.
　　通过对比不同催化材料的特性可以发现,在本文涉及到的催化材料中, In0.1SnO2-Pt和(MoO3)0.2SnO2-Pt/C表现出了最高的催化活性,但是它们高效催化甲醇电氧化所需的碱性环境与现在占绝对主流地位的Nafion质子交换膜所必须的酸性环境相冲突,所以其实际应用价值在碱性阴离子交换膜研究取得突破前都难以有效发挥.而另一类表现较好的采用溶致液晶模板法合成的纳米树枝状和纳米星形Pt催化剂则存在制备工艺难以商业规模化的问题.总的来说,采用溶剂热合成法制备的Pt-NRCeO2/GNs和Pt/Ti0.9Sn0.1O2-C等纳米结构金属氧化物、碳材料复合载体和Pt基贵金属催化剂组成的催化材料体系不仅催化性能相对于商业化Pt纳米颗粒有很大提高,而且制备方法易于商业规模化,值得进一步关注.此外,本文还介绍了如内部传质过程的理论建模计算和膜电极中功能结构的制备等优化DMFC中多孔电极内传质过程的方法.通过计算机模拟得到优化DMFC内部传质过程所需的扩散层、催化层的传质特性相关参数,再通过改进MEA制备工艺,有效控制各层的结构参数向模拟的优化值靠拢,能够实现DMFC性能的有效提升.综合模拟、实验研究及工艺研究结果,根据实际需要,设计和制备包含新功能层的MEA的相关研究也更进一步提高了DMFC的性能和实用性.就目前的研究情况而言,如果在性能提升的基础上,使用寿命再取得突破, DMFC一定会有很好的商业应用前景.     

百香果内膜生物炭作为微生物燃料电池阴极催化剂的产电性能研究

以天然来源的生物质百香果内膜为原料,采用热解炭化-KOH活化的方法制备出比表面积大、孔隙结构好的纳米片生物炭（BXG-AC）,并通过扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、X射线光电子能谱（XPS）等方法对所制备催化剂进行了元素组成和微观形貌表征,采用循环伏安扫描（CV）和线性伏安扫描（LSV）对材料的电化学性能进行分析。结果表明,百香果内膜生物炭经过KOH活化后,在0.1 mol/L的磷酸缓冲液（PBS）中表现出良好的电催化活性。将所制备的催化剂应用于单室MFCs阴极时,对应的MFC最大功率密度达1153.3 mW/m²,略低于Pt/C的1214.3 mW/m²,且此MFC运行60 d后,其性能未见明显降低。表明BXG-AC催化剂具有显著的催化活性和稳定性,为开发高效MFC阴极催化剂提供了新途径。     

Gas diffusion electrodes for polymer electrolyte fuel cell using sulfonated polyimide

Gas diffusion electrodes for high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) have been prepared by using a novel proton conductive sulfonated polyimide (SPI) electrolyte. The catalyst layer was composed of Pt-loaded carbon black (Pt-CB) and SPI ionomer. The polarization properties and the microstructure of the catalyst layer were investigated as a function of the SPI/CB weight ratio. The anodic polarization was found to be negligibly small for all the compositions examined. The highest cathode performance was obtained at SPI/CB = 0.5 (by weight), where the best balance of high catalyst utilization and oxygen gas diffusion rate through the ionomer was obtained.     

LSM-infiltrated LSCF cathodes for solid oxide fuel cells

Mixed ionic-electronic conductors in the family of La_xSr_1–xCo_yFe_1–yO_3–δ have been widely studied as cathode materials for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). However, the long-term stability was a concern. Here we report our findings on the effect of a thin film coating of La_0.85Sr_0.15MnO_3–δ (LSM) on the performance of a porous La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3–δ (LSCF) cathode. When the thicknesses of the LSM coatings are appropriate, an LSM-coated LSCF electrode showed better stability and lower polarization (or higher activity) than the blank LSCF cathode without LSM infiltration. An anode-supported cell with an LSM-infiltrated LSCF cathode demonstrated at 825 °C a peak power density of ～1.07 W/cm², about 24% higher than that of the same cell without LSM infiltration (～0.86 W/cm²). Further, the LSM coating enhanced the stability of the electrode; there was little degradation in performance for the cell with an LSM-infiltrated LSCF cathode during 100 h operation.     

Rare earth hydrogen storage alloy used in borohydride fuel cells

Fuel cell using the borohydride as the fuel has attracted much attentions because of high energy density and working potential. In this work, LaNi_4.5Al_0.5 hydrogen storage alloy used as the anodic material to replace noble metals has been investigated. Experimental results showed that H₂ evolution was unavoidable during discharge process because of the hydrolysis of , but the utilization of the fuel increased with the increasing current densities. At high discharge current, the alloy electrode showed the lowest hydrogen generation rate and higher utilization of the fuel because, the generated hydrogen was absorbed and oxidized to produce electric energy similar to the behavior of hydrogen storage alloy in nickel–metal hydride batteries. The reaction mechanism of borohydride on the surface of electrode made of hydrogen storage alloy also has been discussed. Hydrogen storage alloy would be a promising material as the anodic catalyst in borohydride fuel cell.     

Materials research and development focus areas for low cost automotive proton-exchange membrane fuel cells

Research and development of fuel cell materials often focuses on designing and discovering materials which will reduce the cost or improve the durability of an individual subcomponent. Examples of recent focus areas include non-Pt group metal catalysts, noncarbon catalyst supports, and nonfluorinated membranes. These studies rarely look at the entire system to comprehend the impact of these materials on the cost of ownership to the customer, including vehicle and fuel costs. This perspective takes a holistic look at the impact of functional materials on automotive fuel-cell systems and provides direction on which material properties will provide the greatest benefit. It also provides guidance on which material classes are the most likely to enable the achievement of systems which will result in the successful commercialization of light-duty fuel-cell vehicles.     

Partial oxidation of ethane in H2/O2 fuel cell under mild conditions

The partial oxidation of ethane to ethanol and acetaldehyde in the H₂/O₂ fuel cell under mild conditions is reported. The reaction proceeds at the carbon gasdiffusion cathode in the presence of transition metal ions (Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺) at ambient pressure and temperature 343 K.