Catalysts for Polymer Membrane Fuel Cells

Low-temperature fuel cells with a polymer membrane electrolyte are at an exciting time in their development [...

High performance nitrile copolymers for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye

Platinum-Coated Copper Nanowires with High Activity for Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction in Base

Platinum (Pt)-coated copper (Cu) nanowires (Pt/CuNWs) are synthesized by the partial galvanic displacement of CuNWs and have a 100 nm diameter and are 25–40 μm length. Pt/CuNWs are studied as a hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) catalyst in base along with Cu templated Pt nanotubes (PtNT (Cu)), a 5% Cu monolayer on a bulk polycrystalline Pt electrode (5% ML Cu/BPPt), BPPt, and carbon supported Pt (Pt/C). Comparison of these catalysts demonstrates that the inclusion of Cu benefited the HOR activity of Pt/CuNWs likely by providing compressive strain on Pt; surface Cu further aids in hydroxyl adsorption, thereby improving the HOR activity of Pt/CuNWs. Pt/CuNWs exceed the area and mass exchange current densities of carbon supported Pt by 3.5 times and 1.9 times

Perspectives on Low-Temperature Electrolysis and Potential for Renewable Hydrogen at Scale.

Hydrogen is an important part of any discussion on sustainability and reduction in emissions across major energy sectors. In addition to being a feedstock and process gas for many industrial processes, hydrogen is emerging as a fuel alternative for transportation applications. Renewable sources of hydrogen are therefore required to increase in capacity. Low-temperature electrolysis of water is currently the most mature method for carbon-free hydrogen generation and is reaching relevant scales to impact the energy landscape. However, costs still need to be reduced to be economical with traditional hydrogen sources. Operating cost reductions are enabled by the recent availability of low-cost sources of renewable energy, and the potential exists for a large reduction in capital cost withmaterial and manufacturing optimization. This article focuses on the current status and development needs by component for the low-temperature electrolysis options

Perspectives on Low-Temperature Electrolysis and Potential for Renewable Hydrogen at Scale.

Hydrogen is an important part of any discussion on sustainability and reduction in emissions across major energy sectors. In addition to being a feedstock and process gas for many industrial processes, hydrogen is emerging as a fuel alternative for transportation applications. Renewable sources of hydrogen are therefore required to increase in capacity. Low-temperature electrolysis of water is currently the most mature method for carbon-free hydrogen generation and is reaching relevant scales to impact the energy landscape. However, costs still need to be reduced to be economical with traditional hydrogen sources. Operating cost reductions are enabled by the recent availability of low-cost sources of renewable energy, and the potential exists for a large reduction in capital cost withmaterial and manufacturing optimization. This article focuses on the current status and development needs by component for the low-temperature electrolysis options

Highly fluorinated comb-shaped copolymer as proton exchange membranes (PEMs): fuel cell performance

Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye

Interpretation of direct methanol fuel cell electrolyte properties using non-traditional length-scale parameters

Numerous sulfonated polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) have been developed for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) during the last decade.Ananalysis forDMFCPEMs obtained from the literature data and structural information is presented based on non-traditional length scale parameters. The analysis presented highlights specific differences in chemical composition between PEMs including perfluorinated sulfonic acids, hydrocarbon-based and polymers having specific interactions. Differences in cross-linked, homopolymer-like, random and multi-block polymer architectures are also discussed. The analysis presented gives important insight into molecular design aspects of sulfonated PEMs for DMFCs.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye

Copoly(arylene ether nitrile)s - high-performance polymer electrolytes for direct methanol fuel cells

Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) performance of sulfonated (arylene ether ether nitrile) (m-SPAEEN) copolymers is reported. Low water absorption of m-SPAEEN copolymers enabled increased proton-exchange concentrations in the hydrated polymer matrix, resulting in more desirable membrane properties for DMFC applications. The membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) using m-SPAEENs showed improved cell properties which could not be obtained by the MEAs using sulfonated polysulfone or Nafion. The DMFC performance using an optimized m-SPAEEN membrane exceeded those of the other membrane systems. For example, 265 mA/cm2 was obtained for an MEA using m-SPAEEN, compared to 230 and 195 mA/cm2 for MEAs using sulfonated polysulfone and Nafion membranes, respectively, at 0.5 V, measured under identical conditions. In the comparative evaluations, membrane thickness was selected to give methanol crossover limiting currents that were similar for each of the polymer electrolyte types. Stable cell performance during extended operation (>100 h) suggested that interfacial compatibility between m-SPAEEN and Nafion-bonded electrodes was good.NRC publication: Ye