Carbon Nanotube Free-Standing Membrane of Pt/SWNTs as Catalyst Layer in Hydrogen Fuel Cells

2007 ◽  
Vol 60 (7) ◽  
pp. 528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason M. Tang ◽  
Kurt Jensen ◽  
Wenzhen Li ◽  
Mahesh Waje ◽  
Paul Larsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotube ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Power Density ◽  
Peak Power ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Catalyst Layer ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Free Standing ◽  
Peak Power Density ◽  
Exchange Membrane

A simple and promising fuel-cell architecture is demonstrated using a carbon nanotube free-standing membrane (CNTFSM) made from Pt supported on purified single-walled carbon nanotubes (Pt/SWNT), which act as the catalyst layer in a hydrogen proton exchange membrane fuel cell without the need for Nafion in the catalyst layer. The CNTFSM made from Pt/SWNT at a loading of 0.082 mg Pt cm–2 exhibits higher performance with a peak power density of 0.675 W cm–2 in comparison with a commercially available E-TEK electrocatalyst made of Pt supported on XC-72 carbon black, which had a peak power density of 0.395 W cm–2 at a loading of 0.084 mg Pt cm–2 also without Nafion in the catalyst layer.

The Effect of Inlet Parameters on Fluid Flow and Cell Performance at Cathode of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Utku Gulan ◽  
Hasmet Turkoglu ◽  
Irfan Ar
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Power Density ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Catalyst Layer ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Exchange Membrane ◽  
Oxygen Mole Fraction

In this study, the fluid flow and cell performance in cathode side of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell were numerically analyzed. The problem domain consists of cathode gas channel, cathode gas diffusion layer, and cathode catalyst layer. The equations governing the motion of air, concentration of oxygen, and electrochemical reactions were numerically solved. A computer program was developed based on control volume method and SIMPLE algorithm. The mathematical model and program developed were tested by comparing the results of numerical simulations with the results from literature. Simulations were performed for different values of inlet Reynolds number and inlet oxygen mole fraction at different operation temperatures. Using the results of these simulations, the effects of these parameters on the flow, oxygen concentration distribution, current density and power density were analyzed. The simulations showed that the oxygen concentration in the catalyst layer increases with increasing Reynolds number and hence the current density and power density of the PEM fuel cell also increases. Analysis of the data obtained from simulations also shows that current density and power density of the PEM fuel cell increases with increasing operation temperature. It is also observed that increasing the inlet oxygen mole fraction increases the current density and power density.

Carbon Nanotube Free-Standing Film of Pt/MWNTs as a Bifunctional Component in Hydrogen Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

2007 ◽  
Vol 1018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason M. Tang ◽  
Kurt Jensen ◽  
Paul Larsen ◽  
Wenzhen Li ◽  
Mikhail E. Itkis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Catalyst Layer ◽  
Cell Polarization ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Peak Performance ◽  
Membrane Electrode ◽  
Free Standing ◽  
Exchange Membrane

AbstractConventional fuel cell architecture on one side of the membrane electrode assembly consists of a carbon backing layer, hydrophobic microporous layer (MPL), and a catalyst layer, which is in contact with the solid proton exchange membrane. Pt nanoparticles are deposited onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Pt/MWNTs) and a free-standing film of Pt/MWNTs is fabricated to act as the MPL and the catalyst layer in hydrogen fuel cells. The free-standing film of Pt/MWNTs condenses two functions into one bifunctional layer that simplifies the fuel cell fabrication procedure. Fuel cell polarization performance improves when using the free-standing film of Pt/MWNTs without the MPL resulting in a higher peak performance of 1.2 W/cm2 in comparison with 1.0 W/cm2 when in the presence of a MPL.

Optimum Design and Performance Simulation of a Multi-device Integrated System Based on a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

2022 ◽  
pp. 1-33
Author(s):  
Xiuqin Zhang ◽  
Wentao Cheng ◽  
Qiubao Lin ◽  
Longquan Wu ◽  
Junyi Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Power Density ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Interior Space ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Abstract Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) based on syngas are a promising technology for electric vehicle applications. To increase the fuel conversion efficiency, the low-temperature waste heat from the PEMFC is absorbed by a refrigerator. The absorption refrigerator provides cool air for the interior space of the vehicle. Between finishing the steam reforming reaction and flowing into the fuel cell, the gases release heat continuously. A Brayton engine is introduced to absorb heat and provide a useful power output. A novel thermodynamic model of the integrated system of the PEMFC, refrigerator, and Brayton engine is established. Expressions for the power output and efficiency of the integrated system are derived. The effects of some key parameters are discussed in detail to attain optimum performance of the integrated system. The simulation results show that when the syngas consumption rate is 4.0 × 10−5 mol s−1cm−2, the integrated system operates in an optimum state, and the product of the efficiency and power density reaches a maximum. In this case, the efficiency and power density of the integrated system are 0.28 and 0.96 J s−1 cm−2, respectively, which are 46% higher than those of a PEMFC.

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells powered with both CO and H2

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (43) ◽  
pp. e2107332118
Author(s):  
Xian Wang ◽  
Yang Li ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Hao Zhang ◽  
Zhao Jin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Peak Power ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Single Atom ◽  
Anode Catalysts ◽  
Co Electrooxidation ◽  
Co Activation ◽  
Maximum Current ◽  
Exchange Membrane

The CO electrooxidation is long considered invincible in the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), where even a trace level of CO in H2 seriously poisons the anode catalysts and leads to huge performance decay. Here, we describe a class of atomically dispersed IrRu-N-C anode catalysts capable of oxidizing CO, H2, or a combination of the two. With a small amount of metal (24 μgmetal⋅cm−2) used in the anode, the H2 fuel cell performs its peak power density at 1.43 W⋅cm−2. When operating with pure CO, this catalyst exhibits its maximum current density at 800 mA⋅cm−2, while the Pt/C-based cell ceases to work. We attribute this exceptional catalytic behavior to the interplay between Ir and Ru single-atom centers, where the two sites act in synergy to favorably decompose H2O and to further facilitate CO activation. These findings open up an avenue to conquer the formidable poisoning issue of PEMFCs.

Predicting Liquid Water Saturation Through Differently Structured Cathode Gas Diffusion Media of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Akhtar ◽  
P. J. A. M. Kerkhof
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Liquid Water ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Water Saturation ◽  
Catalyst Layer ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Diffusion Media ◽  
Exchange Membrane

The role of gas diffusion media with differently structured properties have been examined with emphasis on the liquid water saturation within the cathode of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The cathode electrode consists of a gas diffusion layer (GDL), a micro-porous layer and a catalyst layer (CL). The liquid water saturation profiles have been calculated for varying structural and physical properties, i.e., porosity, permeability, thickness and contact angle for each of these layers. It has been observed that each layer has its own role in determining the liquid water saturation within the CL. Among all the layers, the GDL is the most influential layer that governs the transport phenomena within the PEMFC cathode. Besides, the thickness of the CL also affects the liquid water saturation and it should be carefully controlled.

Durability investigation of carbon nanotube as catalyst support for proton exchange membrane fuel cell

2006 ◽  
Vol 158 (1) ◽  
pp. 154-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Wang ◽  
Wenzhen Li ◽  
Zhongwei Chen ◽  
Mahesh Waje ◽  
Yushan Yan
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotube ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Catalyst Support ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Exchange Membrane
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