Lens-Shaped Carbon Particles with Perpendicularly-Oriented Channels for High-Performance Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Abstract

Two-dimensional sheet-like mesoporous carbon particles are promising for maximizing the number of active sites and the mass transport efficiency of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Herein, we develop a series of lens-shaped mesoporous carbon (LMC) particles with perpendicularly oriented channels (diameter = 60 nm) and aspect ratios (ARs) varying from 2.1 to 6.2 and apply them for the fabrication of highly efficient PEMFCs. The membrane emulsification affords uniform-sized, lens-shaped block copolymer particles, which are successfully converted into the LMC particles with well-ordered vertical channels through hyper-cross-linking and carbonization steps. Then, an ultralow amount (1 wt %) of platinum (Pt) is loaded into the particles. The LMC particles with higher ARs are packed with a higher density in the cathode and are better aligned on the cathode surface compared to the LMC particles with lower ARs. Thus, the well-ordered channels in the particles facilitate the mass transport of the reactants and products, significantly increasing the PEMFC performance. For example, the LMC particles with the AR of 6.2 show the highest initial single cell performance of 1135 mW cm–2, and the cell exhibits high durability with 1039 mW cm–2 even after 30 000 cycles. This cell performance surpasses that of commercial Pt/C catalysts, even at 1/20 of the Pt loading.

Poly(vinylpyridine)-containing block copolymers for smart, multicompartment particles

“…183 Considering the potential of these particles for energy applications (for instance, Kim group developed mesoporous carbon microparticles loaded with PtFe that served as fuel-cell catalysts with ultralow Pt loadings (Fig. 13b)), 180,184,185 further investigation on the carbonization of PVP-containing multicompartment particles will be important. Collectively, we anticipate that many more functional multicompartment particles and their applications may be expected in the near future.…”

Mesoporous carbons from self‐assembled polymers

“…Looking forward, we want to provide a brief perspective on the research opportunities in the field of MCs derived from self‐assembled polymers. Current works still focus on the synthesis of mesoporous carbons with tailored pore architectures such as a recent work from Lee et al which developed highly aligned pore structures in lens‐shaped particles 258 . While there are similar works focusing on developing MCs with desired performance, many current efforts regard providing new methodologies for the scaled production of MCs.…”

Effect of Surfactant Selectivity on Shape and Inner Morphology of Triblock Terpolymer Microparticles

“…Block copolymers (BCPs) are useful materials for a broad range of applications including nanomedicine, [1] the formation of Janus particles, [2] filtration membranes, [3] catalysis, [4] or templating of nanostructures. [5] BCP nano-and microparticles have raised attention as source for mesoporous particles, [6][7][8] hybrid particles, [9,10] and as photonic pigments. [11][12][13] To produce internally structured BCP particles, [14] evaporation-induced confined assembly (EICA) has become an increasingly popular method, due to its versatility and controllability.…”