Progress of g‐C ₃ N ₄ and carbon‐based material composite in fuel cell application

Abstract

Fuel cells are the most promising alternative green and clean energy source in the future because of their low carbon emissions. Fuel cells have been employed in various applications, including large-scale stationary power generation, distributed combination heat and power, transport, and mobile and stationary applications. Generally, a fuel cell system consists of a proton exchange membrane or polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), a catalyst layer, a microporous layer, a gas diffusion layer, and a bipolar plate at the anode and cathode. PEMs are an important component in fuel cell applications that act as proton carriers and separators for the anode and cathode, while catalyst support materials are a major component of proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The membrane and catalyst affect the cost, durability, and electrochemical activity of fuel cells. Researchers have made serious attempts to develop materials that can reduce the cost of membrane and catalyst manufacturing, lowering the overall cost of fuel cells. Because of its unique features like 2D structure, ease of fabrication, and low production cost, graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN or g-C 3 N 4 ) is now frequently mentioned.Due to their exceptional qualities, carbon-based materials are also commonly used in a variety of applications, including fuel cells. The effectiveness of experiments using g-C 3 N 4 , carbon nanotube (CNT), and graphene as essential materials in enhancing fuel cell performance is discussed in this study. This review, primarily for fuel cell applications, discusses ways of adjusting the structure in terms of porosity, dimension tailoring, and atomic and edge functionalization. The study also involved the properties of composite materials as well as their respective applications on membranes as well as fuel cell catalysts. This review is useful for investigations into g-C 3 N 4 , CNT, and graphene because it offers ideas and direction for improving the potential of associated systems, including fuel cells, hydrogen production, solar cells, batteries, and supercapacitors.Abbreviations: CHP, combination heat and power; CNT, carbon nanotube; DMFC, direct methanol fuel cell; g-CN or g-C 3 N 4 , graphitic carbon nitride; MEA, membrane electrolyte assembly; ORR, oxygen reduction reaction; PEM, polymer electrolyte membrane; PEMFC, proton exchange membrane fuel cell; SPEEK, sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone).

Graphitic carbon nitride-based nanostructures as emergent catalysts for carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation

“…Later, C 3 N 4 was found to be a good catalyst for O 2 activation in various catalytic reactions (i.e., fuel cell). 189 Singh et al 190 synthesized Au clusters (2.5 nm) on alkylated ( pH 10) g-C 3 N 4 (Au/g-C 3 N 4 pH10) and un-alkylated g-C 3 N 4 (Au/ g-C 3 N 4 ) via thermally decomposing cyanamide at 550 °C and used the direct current magnetron sputtering technique to study the effect of OH on reactant activation and adsorption during gas phase and liquid phase CO oxidation. Au/g-C 3 N 4 became active after heating at 230 °C, and Au/g-C 3 N 4 pH10 at 320 °C; both showed CO oxidation activity of nearly 14 and 8 mol CO per mol Au per s at 450 °C, respectively, but they were inactive for liquid phase CO oxidation at pH 14.…”

Nickel–Cobalt Metal–Organic Framework CPO-27 and g-C3N4 for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Alkaline-Exchange-Membrane Fuel Cell

“…Graphitic carbon nitride, also known as g-C 3 N 4 , is a two-dimensional, layered compound made up of tris-triazine units connected by planar amino groups at each layer and a weak van der Waals interaction between layers. 36 Several applications for catalysts, 37 photocatalysts, 38 and supercapacitors 39 have been developed using g-C 3 N 4 due to the proper strip gap, low cost, simplicity in manufacture, high stability, and ecologically advantageous properties. 36 Liu et al 40 prepared g-C 3 N 4 -derived bamboo-like carbon nanotubes/Co as an ORR catalyst in alkaline media.…”

“…36 Several applications for catalysts, 37 photocatalysts, 38 and supercapacitors 39 have been developed using g-C 3 N 4 due to the proper strip gap, low cost, simplicity in manufacture, high stability, and ecologically advantageous properties. 36 Liu et al 40 prepared g-C 3 N 4 -derived bamboo-like carbon nanotubes/Co as an ORR catalyst in alkaline media. It showed high activity and durability for ORR compared to Pt/C.…”

Decomposition of Formic Acid and Acetic Acid into Hydrogen Using Graphitic Carbon Nitride Supported Single Metal Catalyst

“…It also has surface properties that can be used for various applications including as catalyst and photocatalyst reaction as it has high thermal and hydrothermal stability that enable it to function in a liquid, gas, and high temperature environment [8][9][10]. There are many literatures reported the synthesis method, potential, properties, advantageous, and catalytic/photocatalytic activities using graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) material [11][12][13]. In photocatalytic reaction, graphitic carbon nitride has been widely used due to its properties such as suitable band structure, tunable bandgap, and low cost [14].…”