Conducting Polymer-Based Nanohybrids for Fuel Cell Application

Abstract

Carbon materials such as carbon graphitic structures, carbon nanotubes, and graphene nanosheets are extensively used as supports for electrocatalysts in fuel cells. Alternatively, conducting polymers displayed ultrahigh electrical conductivity and high chemical stability havegenerated an intense research interest as catalysts support for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) as well as microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Moreover, metal or metal oxides catalysts can be immobilized on the pure polymer or the functionalized polymer surface to generate conducting polymer-based nanohybrids (CPNHs) with improved catalytic performance and stability. Metal oxides generally have large surface area and/or porous structures and showed unique synergistic effects with CPs. Therefore, a stable, environmentally friendly bio/electro-catalyst can be obtained with CPNHs along with better catalytic activity and enhanced electron-transfer rate. The mass activity of Pd/polypyrrole (PPy) CPNHs as an anode material for ethanol oxidation is 7.5 and 78 times higher than that of commercial Pd/C and bulk Pd/PPy. The Pd rich multimetallic alloys incorporated on PPy nanofibers exhibited an excellent electrocatalytic activity which is approximately 5.5 times higher than monometallic counter parts. Similarly, binary and ternary Pt-rich electrocatalysts demonstrated superior catalytic activity for the methanol oxidation, and the catalytic activity of Pt24Pd26Au50/PPy significantly improved up to 12.5 A per mg Pt, which is approximately15 times higher than commercial Pt/C (0.85 A per mg Pt). The recent progress on CPNH materials as anode/cathode and membranes for fuel cell has been systematically reviewed, with detailed understandings into the characteristics, modifications, and performances of the electrode materials.

Polymer Adsorbents vs. Functionalized Oxides and Carbons: Particulate Morphology and Textural and SurfaceCharacteristics

“…Therefore, a set of methods could be used in parallel, such as direct (TEM, SEM) and indirect (probe adsorption, SAXS, NMR cryoporometry, DSC thermoporometry, etc.) methods [ 9 , 28 , 31 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 111 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 , 119 , 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 , 127 , 128 , 129 , 130 ]. More accurate results can be obtained if several methods are used in parallel (e.g., SAXS and adsorption).…”

“…Therefore, a set of methods could be used in parallel, such as direct (TEM, SEM) and indirect (probe adsorption, SAXS, NMR cryoporometry, DSC thermoporometry, etc.) methods [9,28,31,[54][55][56][64][65][66][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87]111,[114][115][116][117][118][119][120][121][122][123][124][125][126][127][128][129][130]. More accurate results can be obtained if several methods are used in parallel (e.g., SAXS and adsorption).…”

Recent Trends and Developments in Conducting Polymer Nanocomposites for Multifunctional Applications

“…'s) including microbial fuel-cells (M.F.C. 's) as discussed by Ghosh et al [167]. Furthermore, metallic or metallic-oxide catalyticaccelerators can be immobilized on the surface of a virgin polymer, or a biocompatiblepolymer to produce conductive polymeric-based nano-hybrids (C.P.N.H.…”

“…Conducting-polymerics with ultra-high conductivity, and electro-chemical characteristics have attracted the attention of investigators as catalysis accelerators for polymeric-electrolytic-membrane-based fuel-cells (P.E.M.F.C.’s) including microbial fuel-cells (M.F.C.’s) as discussed by Ghosh et al [ 167 ]. Furthermore, metallic or metallic-oxide catalytic-accelerators can be immobilized on the surface of a virgin polymer, or a biocompatible-polymer to produce conductive polymeric-based nano-hybrids (C.P.N.H.’s) having excellent catalyzed activity and durability.…”

“…The electro-catalytic activities of Palladium-rich multi-metallic alloy-compositions placed on PPy nanofibrous was roughly 5.5 times more than the mono-metallic counter-parts. Likewise, binary and ternary platinum-rich electro-catalysts displayed higher catalysis performance for the methyl-alcohol-oxidation, as well as the catalysis behavior of Pt-24Pd-26Au-50/PPy considerably enhanced up to 12.45 A/mg platinum, which itself is around fifteen times superior than those of commercialized platinum/carbon (0.85 A/mg platinum) [ 167 ].…”