A highly-active, stable and low-cost platinum-free anode catalyst based on RuNi for hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells

Xue, Yanrong; Shi, Lin; Liu, Xuerui; Fang, Jinjie; Wang, Xingdong; Setzler, Brian P.; Zhu, Wei; Yan, Yushan; Zhuang, Zhongbin

doi:10.1038/s41467-020-19413-5

Cited by 159 publications

(127 citation statements)

References 50 publications

(55 reference statements)

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“…The Ni(100) and Ni( 110) are 5 to 6 times active than polycrystalline nickel, which is close to that of Ni (111). For the Ni (100) and Ni(110) planes, the current densities increase as the pH and the maximum current densities appear at pH 13. Although the Ea of Ni in acid is lower than that in base (i.e.…”

Section: Nickel-based Catalystssupporting

confidence: 53%

“…The Ru alloy shows enhanced HOR activity than the pristine Ru. Recently, Zhuang et al 100 that of PtRu/C, respectively. The HEMFC using Ru7Ni3/C as anode catalyst can deliver a high PPD of 2.03 W•cm −2 in H2/O2 and 1.23 W•cm −2 in H2/air (CO2-free) at 95 °C, surpassing that using PtRu/C anode catalyst, and good durability with only about 4.4% voltage loss over 100 h of operation at a constant current density of 0.5 A•cm −2 under H2/air (CO2-free) (Fig.…”

Section: Ru-based Catalystsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cost-Effective Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction Catalysts for Hydroxide Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Xue¹,

Wang²,

Zhang³

et al. 2020

Acta Physico Chimica Sinica

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Fuel cells are clean, efficient energy conversion devices that produce electricity from chemical energy stored within fuels. The development of fuel cells has significantly progressed over the past decades. Specifically, polymer electrolyte fuel cells, which are representative of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), exhibit high efficiency, high power density, and quick start-up times. However, the high cost of PEMFCs, partially from the Pt-based catalysts they employ, hinders their diverse applicability. Hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells (HEMFCs), which are also known as alkaline polymer electrolyte fuel cells (APEFCs), alkaline anionexchange membrane fuel cells (AAEMFCs), anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs), or alkaline membrane fuel cells (AMFCs), have attracted much attention because of their capability to use non-Pt electrocatalysts and inexpensive bipolar plates. The HEMFCs are structurally similar to PEMFCs but they use a polymer electrolyte that conducts hydroxide ions, thus providing an alkaline environment. However, the relatively sluggish kinetics of the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) inhibit the practical application of HEMFCs. The anode catalyst loading needed for HEMFCs to achieve high cell performance is larger than that required for other fuel cells, which substantially increases the cost of HEMFCs. Therefore, low-cost, highly active, and stable HOR catalysts in the alkaline condition are greatly desired. Here, we review the recent achievements in developing such HOR catalysts. First, plausible HOR mechanisms are explored and HOR activity descriptors are summarized. The HOR processes are mainly controlled by the binding energy between hydrogen and the catalysts, but they may also be influenced by OH adsorption, interfacial water adsorption, and the potential of zero (free) charge. Next, experimental methods used to elevate HOR activities are introduced, followed by HOR catalysts reported in the literature, including Pt-, Ir-, Pd-, Ru-, and Ni-based catalysts, among others. HEMFC performances when employing various anode catalysts are then summarized, where HOR catalysts with platinum-group metals exhibited the highest HEMFC performance. Although the Ni-based HOR catalyst activity was higher than those of other non-precious metalbased catalysts, they showed unsatisfactory performance in HEMFCs. We further analyzed HEMFC performances while considering anode catalyst cost, where we found that this cost can be reduced by using recently developed, non-Pt HOR catalysts, especially Ru-based catalysts. In fact, an HEMFC using a Ru-based HOR catalyst showed an anode catalyst cost-based performance similar to that of PEMFCs, making the HEMFC promising for use in practical applications. Finally, we proposed routes for developing future HOR catalysts for HEMFCs.

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Section: Nickel-based Catalystssupporting

confidence: 53%

Section: Ru-based Catalystsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cost-Effective Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction Catalysts for Hydroxide Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Xue¹,

Wang²,

Zhang³

et al. 2020

Acta Physico Chimica Sinica

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“…For example, the fuel cell using Ru 7 Ni 3 /C as the anode and Pt/C as the cathode can deliver a high peak power density of 2 W cm −2 (Figure 5c). [ 94 ] Although the detailed test parameters are not the same, such a huge gap in their performance proves there is still a long way to go before the use of non‐PGM‐based anodes in hydrogen fuel cells.…”

Section: Non‐pgm Electrocatalysts For the Alkaline Hormentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Non‐pgm Electrocatalysts For the Alkaline Hormentioning

confidence: 99%

Non‐Platinum Group Metal Electrocatalysts toward Efficient Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction

Zhao

Chen

Sun

et al. 2021

Adv Funct Materials

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Developing non‐platinum group metal (non‐PGM) electrocatalysts for the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) represents the efforts towards the more economical use of hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen energy, which has attracted tremendous attention recently. However, non‐PGM electrocatalysts for the HOR are still in their early development stages as compared with the significant advances in those for the oxygen reduction reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction. Herein, this paper summarizes the recent progresses and highlights the key challenges for the rational design of non‐PGM electrocatalysts, aiming to promote the development of non‐PGM HOR electrocatalysts. Fundamental understandings of the HOR mechanism are firstly reviewed, where theoretical interpretations on the low HOR kinetics in alkaline media, including the hydrogen binding energy theory, the bifunctional mechanism, and the water molecule reorganization, are particularly discussed. Subsequently, progresses of typical non‐PGM HOR electrocatalysts in acid and alkaline media are summarized separately. For the HOR under alkaline conditions, the superiorities and challenges of Ni‐based catalysts are discussed with a particular focus as they are the most promising non‐PGM electrocatalysts. Finally, this paper highlights the challenges and provide perspectives on the future development directions of non‐PGM HOR electrocatalysts.

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“…Very recently, Xue et al. investigated AEMFC performances using Pt‐free Ru 7 Ni 3 /C HOR and Pt/C ORR catalyst in H 2 /O 2 and H 2 /air fuel cells [80] . The cell exhibited a high PPD of 2.03 W cm −2 and 1.23 W cm −2 at 95 °C in H 2 /O 2 and H 2 /air (CO 2 ‐free) fuel cells, respectively.…”

Section: Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells and Electrolyzersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Advancement on Anion Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cell and Water Electrolysis

Mandal

2020

ChemElectroChem

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Highly conductive anion exchange membranes (AEMs) are one of the few requirements to produce high power during fuel cell operation and for efficient hydrogen production through water electrolysis. The use of chemically stable and cheap AEMs with platinum group metal (PGM)‐free catalysts is suitable for reducing the overall cost of hydrogen production and fuel cell operation. The in situ durability of anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) and anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEMWEs) for several hundred hours is necessary for the widespread application of fuel cell and water electrolysis technologies. This Minireview highlights the best results reported recently in alkaline membrane fuel cells and water electrolysis. The achievable AEMFCs performances are noteworthy using Pt‐free anode and cathode electrocatalysts. Remarkable durability in AEMFCs is witnessed, although the durability is a concern for AEMWEs. Moreover, the current challenges and future directions of AEMFCs and AEMWEs are briefly summarized.

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A highly-active, stable and low-cost platinum-free anode catalyst based on RuNi for hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells

Cited by 159 publications

References 50 publications

Cost-Effective Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction Catalysts for Hydroxide Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Cost-Effective Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction Catalysts for Hydroxide Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Non‐Platinum Group Metal Electrocatalysts toward Efficient Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction

Recent Advancement on Anion Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cell and Water Electrolysis

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