Magnéli TiO2 as a High Durability Support for the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell Catalysts

Abstract

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) cathode catalysts’ robustness is one of the primary factors determining its long-term performance and durability. This work presented a new class of corrosion-resistant catalyst, Magnél TiO2 supported Pt (Pt/Ti9O17) composite, synthesized. The durability of a Pt/Ti9O17 cathode under the PEMFC operating protocol was evaluated and compared with the state-of-the-art Pt/C catalyst. Like Pt/C, Pt/Ti9O17 exhibited exclusively 4e- oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in the acidic solution. The accelerated stress tests (AST) were performed using Pt/Ti9O17 and Pt/C catalysts in an O2-saturated 0.5 M H2SO4 solution using the potential-steps cycling experiments from 0.95 V to 0.6 V for 12,000 cycles. The results indicated that the electrochemical surface area (ECSA) of the Pt/Ti9O17 is significantly more stable than that of the state-of-the-art Pt/C, and the ECSA loss after 12,000 potential cycles is only 10 ± 2% for Pt/Ti9O17 composite versus 50 ± 5% for Pt/C. Furthermore, the current density and onset potential at the ORR polarization curve at Pt/C were significantly affected by the AST test. In contrast, the same remained almost constant at the modified electrode, Pt/Ti9O17. This demonstrated the excellent stability of Pt nanoparticles supported on Ti9O17.

Cu-Alginate/Graphene Aerogels Derived Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

“…High selectivity of Cu/N-CAs may be due to the fact that the carbon is efficiently activated after doping nitrogen atoms, which favors the adsorption of O2 and decomposition of intermediate products in alkaline conditions, bringing about excellent electrocatalytic properties. This result is comparable to the Pt/C catalyst (n=3.98) for the four-electron ORR [9], which further confirms the high ORR performance of Cu/N-CAs.…”

“…Numerous active and inexpensive non-precious metal catalysts (e.g. transition metal nitrogen-coordinated complexes, conductive polymers, metal oxides, metal-free heteroatom doped carbons) and carbon carriers have been extensively explored [6][7][8][9].…”

Top-down surfactant-free electrosynthesis of magnéli phase Ti9O17 nanowires

“…16 Moreover, Ti is one of the most abundant, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly materials, making TiO 2 nanowires an ideal candidate for a sustainable catalyst support material. 17 However, the toxicity of nanomaterials, such as nanoparticles or nanowires, has been shown in various studies and should be addressed. 18 Nevertheless, nanomaterials have become indispensable in modern technologies.…”

Features of the Degradation of the Proton-Conducting Polymer Nafion in Highly Porous Electrodes of PEM Fuel Cells

“…A well-known problem of modern PEM FCs is their insufficient lifetime. Several works were devoted to the issues of long-term PEM FCs and their individual components; see, e.g., [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. The insufficient lifetime of PEM FCs affects their price and is a serious obstacle to their widespread adoption in the economy.…”