Chalcogenides and Carbon Nanostructures: Great Applications for PEM Fuel Cells

Nanostructured metal chalcogenides (NMCs) and carbon nanostructures (CNS) are attracting significant attention due to their features such as high stability in an acidic environment, especially if they have a significant oxygen reduction activity and remarkable superconducting properties. The broad range of CNS exhibits novel physicochemical properties, and thus it is triggering intense research about carbon nanoscience with numerous applications. In this context, new synthesis routes are designed under moderate conditions, which are definitely needed in order to simplify the process, reduce costs, and allow the production of NMCs at lower temperatures and CNS whose size and shape can be controlled. Some related studies about Pt based on sulfides and selenides, transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs), and carbon nanostructures (nanotubes and graphene) are revealed here; however, they show promise for fuel cells that these NMCs, CNS, or even NMC-CNS materials have been applied for other energy devices. Until now, a good response for cathodic reactions is employing TMCs based on tungsten and CNS without metal. According to experimental results and in terms of catalytic activity, durability, and chemical/electrochemical stability, much more research is required to produce commercially valid non-noble catalysts, electrocatalysts, or supports; however, one approach on this field is metal-free CNS

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of dodecylsulphate doped polypyrrole films in the dark and under illumination

The morphology, thickness, oxidation and illumination effects in dodecylsulphate doped polypyrrole films can be qualitatively observed by EIS and consist in variations of interfacial and bulk resistances and capacitances of a proposed equivalent circuit. The circuit well with the measured spectra of films obtained with 190 mC cm-2 of synthesis charge density. For thinner films the calculated values observed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) deviate probably due to the absence of diffusion effects. The oxidation of the films diminishes the total impedance over the entire frequency range. The morphology effects are also observed in the entire spectra. The illumination effects are reversible and are observed as expected only in the reduced form of the polymer. The illumination reduces the internal resistance and the space-charge capacitance and increases the charge transfer resistance and the double layer capacitance.Efeitos de morfologia, espessura, oxidação e iluminação dos filmes de polipirrol dopados com dodecilsulfato podem ser observados qualitativamente por EIS e consistem de variações de valores de resistências e capacitâncias de um circuito equivalente proposto, presentes nas interfaces e no interior do material. O circuito se ajusta bem para filmes sintetizados com densidade de carga de 190 mC cm-2. Para filmes mais finos os valores calculados por espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica (EIS) apresentam desvios provavelmente pela ausência de efeitos difusivos. A oxidação dos filmes causa uma diminuição geral da impedância em toda a faixa de freqüências medidas. Os efeitos de morfologia também são observados em todas as freqüências. Os efeitos de iluminação são reversíveis e aparecem, como esperado, apenas quando o polímero está na forma reduzida. A iluminação diminui a resistência interna e a capacitância de carga espacial e aumenta a resistência de transferência de carga e a capacitância de dupla camada.5058Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of dodecylsulphate doped polypyrrole films in the dark and under illumination

The morphology, thickness, oxidation and illumination effects in dodecylsulphate doped polypyrrole films can be qualitatively observed by EIS and consist in variations of interfacial and bulk resistances and capacitances of a proposed equivalent circuit. The circuit well with the measured spectra of films obtained with 190 mC cm-2 of synthesis charge density. For thinner films the calculated values observed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) deviate probably due to the absence of diffusion effects. The oxidation of the films diminishes the total impedance over the entire frequency range. The morphology effects are also observed in the entire spectra. The illumination effects are reversible and are observed as expected only in the reduced form of the polymer. The illumination reduces the internal resistance and the space-charge capacitance and increases the charge transfer resistance and the double layer capacitance

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of dodecylsulphate doped polypyrrole films in the dark and under illumination

The morphology, thickness, oxidation and illumination effects in dodecylsulphate doped polypyrrole films can be qualitatively observed by EIS and consist in variations of interfacial and bulk resistances and capacitances of a proposed equivalent circuit. The circuit well with the measured spectra of films obtained with 190 mC cm-2 of synthesis charge density. For thinner films the calculated values observed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) deviate probably due to the absence of diffusion effects. The oxidation of the films diminishes the total impedance over the entire frequency range. The morphology effects are also observed in the entire spectra. The illumination effects are reversible and are observed as expected only in the reduced form of the polymer. The illumination reduces the internal resistance and the space-charge capacitance and increases the charge transfer resistance and the double layer capacitance