scholarly journals Recent Advancements in the Synthesis and Application of Carbon-Based Catalysts in the ORR

Electrochem ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Samantha Macchi ◽  
Iris Denmark ◽  
Thuy Le ◽  
Mavis Forson ◽  
Mujeebat Bashiru ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Precious Metal ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Synthetic Methods ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Support Materials ◽  
Carbon Based

Fuel cells are a promising alternative to non-renewable energy production industries such as petroleum and natural gas. The cathodic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), which makes fuel cell technology possible, is sluggish under normal conditions. Thus, catalysts must be used to allow fuel cells to operate efficiently. Traditionally, platinum (Pt) catalysts are often utilized as they exhibit a highly efficient ORR with low overpotential values. However, Pt is an expensive and precious metal, posing economic problems for commercialization. Herein, advances in carbon-based catalysts are reviewed for their application in ORRs due to their abundance and low-cost syntheses. Various synthetic methods from different renewable sources are presented, and their catalytic properties are compared. Likewise, the effects of heteroatom and non-precious metal doping, surface area, and porosity on their performance are investigated. Carbon-based support materials are discussed in relation to their physical properties and the subsequent effect on Pt ORR performance. Lastly, advances in fuel cell electrolytes for various fuel cell types are presented. This review aims to provide valuable insight into current challenges in fuel cell performance and how they can be overcome using carbon-based materials and next generation electrolytes.

Sustainable hydrogen energy

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter P. Edwards ◽  
Vladimir L. Kuznetsov
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Energy Supply ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Hydrogen Energy ◽  
The Future ◽  
Energy Economy ◽  
Fossil Fuel Energy ◽  
Carbon Based

Hydrogen is the simplest and most abundant chemical element in our universe— it is the power source that fuels the Sun and its oxide forms the oceans that cover three quarters of our planet. This ubiquitous element could be part of our urgent quest for a cleaner, greener future. Hydrogen, in association with fuel cells, is widely considered to be pivotal to our world’s energy requirements for the twenty-first century and it could potentially redefine the future global energy economy by replacing a carbon-based fossil fuel energy economy. The principal drivers behind the sustainable hydrogen energy vision are therefore: • the urgent need for a reduction in global carbon dioxide emissions; • the improvement of urban (local) air quality; • the abiding concerns about the long-term viability of fossil fuel resources and the security of our energy supply; • the creation of a new industrial and technological energy base—a base for innovation in the science and technology of a hydrogen/fuel cell energy landscape. The ultimate realization of a hydrogen-based economy could confer enormous environmental and economic benefits, together with enhanced security of energy supply. However, the transition from a carbon-based(fossil fuel) energy system to a hydrogen-based economy involves significant scientific, technological, and socio-economic barriers. These include: • low-carbon hydrogen production from clean or renewable sources; • low-cost hydrogen storage; • low-cost fuel cells; • large-scale supporting infrastructure, and • perceived safety problems. In the present chapter we outline the basis of the growing worldwide interest in hydrogen energy and examine some of the important issues relating to the future development of hydrogen as an energy vector. As a ‘snapshot’ of international activity, we note, for example, that Japan regards the development and dissemination of fuel cells and hydrogen technologies as essential: the Ministry of Economy and Industry (METI) has set numerical targets of 5 million fuel cell vehicles and10 million kW for the total power generation by stationary fuel cells by 2020. To meet these targets, METI has allocated an annual budget of some £150 million over four years.

Highly proton conductive membranes based on carboxylated cellulose nanofibres and their performance in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Guccini ◽  
Annika Carlson ◽  
Shun Yu ◽  
Göran Lindbergh ◽  
Rakel Wreland Lindström ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Surface Charge ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Membrane Thickness ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Cellulose Nanofibres ◽  
Exchange Membrane

The performance of thin carboxylated cellulose nanofiber-based (CNF) membranes as proton exchange membranes in fuel cells has been measured in-situ as a function of CNF surface charge density (600 and 1550 µmol g<sup>-1</sup>), counterion (H<sup>+</sup>or Na<sup>+</sup>), membrane thickness and fuel cell relative humidity (RH 55 to 95 %). The structural evolution of the membranes as a function of RH as measured by Small Angle X-ray scattering shows that water channels are formed only above 75 % RH. The amount of absorbed water was shown to depend on the membrane surface charge and counter ions (Na<sup>+</sup>or H<sup>+</sup>). The high affinity of CNF for water and the high aspect ratio of the nanofibers, together with a well-defined and homogenous membrane structure, ensures a proton conductivity exceeding 1 mS cm<sup>-1</sup>at 30 °C between 65 and 95 % RH. This is two orders of magnitude larger than previously reported values for cellulose materials and only one order of magnitude lower than Nafion 212. Moreover, the CNF membranes are characterized by a lower hydrogen crossover than Nafion, despite being ≈ 30 % thinner. Thanks to their environmental compatibility and promising fuel cell performance the CNF membranes should be considered for new generation proton exchange membrane fuel cells.<br>

scholarly journals Highly durable Pt-free fuel cell catalysts prepared by multi-step pyrolysis of Fe phthalocyanine and phenolic resin

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 1400-1406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuta Nabae ◽  
Mayu Sonoda ◽  
Chiharu Yamauchi ◽  
Yo Hosaka ◽  
Ayano Isoda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte ◽  
Phenolic Resin ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Cell Performance ◽  
Cathode Catalyst ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Fuel Cell Catalysts

A Pt-free cathode catalyst for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells has been developed by multi-step pyrolysis of Fe phthalocyanine and phenolic resin and shows a quite promising fuel cell performance.

Effect of Vibration on the Liquid Water Transport of PEM Fuel Cells

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Breziner ◽  
Peter Strahs ◽  
Parsaoran Hutapea
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Water Transport ◽  
Liquid Water ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Cell Performance ◽  
Sinusoidal Vibration ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Liquid Water Transport

The objective of this research is to analyze the effects of vibration on the performance of hydrogen PEM fuel cells. It has been reported that if the liquid water transport across the gas diffusion layer (GDL) changes, so does the overall cell performance. Since many fuel cells operate under a vibrating environment –as in the case of automotive applications, this may influence the liquid water concentration across the GDL at different current densities, affecting the overall fuel cell performance. The problem was developed in two main steps. First, the basis for an analytical model was established using current models for water transport in porous media. Then, a series of experiments were carried, monitoring the performance of the fuel cell for different parameters of oscillation. For sinusoidal vibration at 10, 20 and 50Hz (2 g of magnitude), a decrease in the fuel cell performance by 2.2%, 1.1% and 1.3% was recorded when compared to operation at no vibration respectively. For 5 g of magnitude, the fuel cell reported a drop of 5.8% at 50 Hz, whereas at 20 Hz the performance increased by 1.3%. Although more extensive experimentation is needed to identify a relationship between magnitude and frequency of vibration affecting the performance of the fuel cell as well as a throughout examination of the liquid water formation in the cathode, this study shows that sinusoidal vibration, overall, affects the performance of PEM fuel cells.

A Methodology for Assessing Fuel Cell Performance Under a Wide Range of Operational Conditions: Results for Single Cells

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 226-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Baratella ◽  
Roberto Bove ◽  
Piero Lunghi
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Cell Performance ◽  
Effective Parameters ◽  
Test Procedures ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The University

Testing the performance of fuel cells is an important key for verifying technology improvements and for demonstrating their potential. However, due to the novelty of this technology, there is not a standardized procedure for testing fuel cell performance. In order to fully investigate fuel cell performance, the behavior must be known under a wide range of operational conditions. Furthermore, in order to compare results coming from different test teams, a set of procedures and parameters to evaluate single cell performance should be defined. The research group of the Fuel Cell Laboratory of the University of Perugia is conducting performance tests on single cells, focusing on defining test procedures to find effective parameters to be used to compare tests performed by different teams. This work demonstrates how the testing parameters developed by the team allow one to perform advanced control on test procedures, to understand test results, and to compare them with tests carried out under different operational conditions. The entire analysis is easily conducted by using a single parameter variation hyperspace approach. The experimental results obtained on single fuel cells are reported.

Fabrication and Performance Evaluation of Miniaturized Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Zhang ◽  
Pei-Wen Li ◽  
Qing-Ming Wang ◽  
Laura Schaefer ◽  
Minking K. Chyu
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Free Convection ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Cathode Side ◽  
Ohmic Loss ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance

Two types of miniaturized PEM fuel cells are designed and characterized in comparison with a compact commercial fuel cell device in this paper. One has Nafion® membrane electrolyte sandwiched by two brass bipolar plates with micromachined meander-like gas channels. The cross-sectional area of the gas flow channel is approximately 250 by 250 (μm). The other uses the same Nafion® membrane and anode structure, but in stead of the brass plate, a thin stainless steel plate with perforated round holes is used at cathode side. The new cathode structure is expected to allow oxygen (air) being supplied by free-convection mass transfer. The characteristic curves of the fuel cell devices are measured. The activation loss and ohmic loss of the fuel cells have been estimated using empirical equations. Critical issues such as flow arrangement, water removing and air feeding modes concerning the fuel cell performance are investigated in this research. The experimental results demonstrate that the miniaturized fuel cell with free air convection mode is a simple and reliable way for fuel cell operation that could be employed in potential applications although the maximum achievable current density is less favorable due to limited mass transfer of oxygen (air). The relation between the fuel cell dimensions and the maximum achievable current density is also discussed with respect to free-convection mode of air feeding.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Bi2V0.9Cu0.1O5.35—an Aurivillius-Type Conducting Oxide—as a Cathode Material for Single-Chamber Solid-Oxide Fuel Cells

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zongping Shao ◽  
Jennifer Mederos ◽  
Chan Kwak ◽  
Sossina M. Haile
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells ◽  
Cathode Material ◽  
Sharp Decrease ◽  
Solid Oxide ◽  
Oxide Fuel ◽  
Single Chamber ◽  
Ion Conductor ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance

The compound Bi2V0.9Cu0.1O5.35, a typical Aurivillius-type fast oxygen ion conductor, was evaluated as a possible cathode material for single-chamber solid-oxide fuel cells operated under mixed propane and oxygen. The material was found to be structurally stable under various C3H8+O2 environments over a wide temperature range and furthermore displayed low catalytic activity for propane oxidation. However, at temperatures above 650°C, detrimental reactions between the cathode and the ceria electrolyte occurred, producing low conductivity interfacial phases. At these high temperatures the cathode additionally underwent extensive sintering and loss of porosity and, thus, stable fuel cell operation was limited to furnace temperatures of <600°C. Even under such conditions, however, the partial oxidation occurring at the anode (a ceria nickel cermet) resulted in cell temperatures as much as 70–110°C higher than the gas-phase temperature. This explains the sharp decrease in fuel cell performance with time during operation at a furnace temperature of 586°C. Under optimized conditions, a peak power density of ∼60 mW/cm2 was obtained, which does not compete with recent values obtained from higher activity cathodes. Thus, the poor electrochemical activity of Bi2V0.9Cu0.1O5.35, combined with its chemical instability at higher temperatures, discourages further consideration of this material as a cathode in single-chamber fuel cells.

Platinum-Catalyzed Polymer Electrolyte Membrane for Fuel Cells

1999 ◽  
Vol 575 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Jan Hwang ◽  
Hong Shao ◽  
Neville Richards ◽  
Jerome Schmitt ◽  
Andrew Hunt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Chemical Vapor ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Fabrication Process ◽  
Membrane Electrode ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Electrolyte Membrane

ABSTRACTThe objective of this research is to develop the combustion chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) process for low-cost manufacture of catalytic coatings for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) applications. The platinum coatings as well as the fabrication process for membrane-electrode-assemblies (MEAs) were evaluated in a single testing fuel cell using hydrogen/oxygen. It was found that increasing the platinum loading from 0.05 to 0.1 mg/cm2 did not increase the fuel cell performance. The in-house MEA fabrication process needs to be improved to reduce the cell resistance. Significantly higher performance of Pt coating by the CCVD process has been obtained by MCT's fuelcell industry collaborators who are more experienced with MEA fabrication. The results can not be revealed due to confidentiality agreements.

A Numerical Investigation of Heat and Mass Transfer in Air-Cooled Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torsten Berning
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Air Stream ◽  
Multi Phase ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Abstract A numerical analysis of an air-cooled proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) has been conducted. The model utilizes the Eulerian multi-phase approach to predict the occurrence and transport of liquid water inside the cell. It is assumed that all the waste heat must be carried out of the fuel cell with the excess air which leads to a strong temperature increase of the air stream. The results suggest that the performance of these fuel cells is limited by membrane overheating which is ultimately caused by the limited heat transfer to the laminar air stream. A proposed remedy is the placement of a turbulence grid before such a fuel cell stack to enhance the heat transfer and increase the fuel cell performance.

Tools and Techniques for Modeling SOFC Fuel Cell Performance

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alton J. Reich ◽  
Rupak Das ◽  
J. Vernon Cole ◽  
Sandip Mazumder
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Research And Development ◽  
Cell Performance ◽  
Development Effort ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Fixed Power ◽  
Tools And Techniques

Fuel cells have been utilized in certain specialized applications since the 1960’s, however the technology has recently been the focus of a broad research and development effort. The next 10 years will likely produce practical, affordable fuel cells that are applied in fixed power generation, automotive, and even powered bicycle applications. As the fuel cell becomes less of a research curiosity and more of an engineered commodity item, designers need tools to study and optimize the behavior of fuel cells. This paper discusses some of the questions that simulation can help fuel cell designers address.

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