Realization of Both High-Performance and Enhanced Durability of Fuel Cells: Pt-Exoskeleton Structure Electrocatalysts

Abstract

Core-shell structure nanoparticles have been the subject of many studies over the past few years and continue to be studied as electrocatalysts for fuel cells. Therefore, many excellent core-shell catalysts have been fabricated, but few studies have reported the real application of these catalysts in a practical device actual application. In this paper, we demonstrate the use of platinum (Pt)-exoskeleton structure nanoparticles as cathode catalysts with high stability and remarkable Pt mass activity and report the outstanding performance of these materials when used in membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs) within a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. The stability and degradation characteristics of these materials were also investigated in single cells in an accelerated degradation test using load cycling, which is similar to the drive cycle of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell used in vehicles. The MEAs with Pt-exoskeleton structure catalysts showed enhanced performance throughout the single cell test and exhibited improved degradation ability that differed from that of a commercial Pt/C catalyst.

Platinum‐Based Electrocatalysts for Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells: Enhanced Performances toward Alcohol Oxidation Reactions

“…In addition, the catalyst stability is another important factor for evaluating the electrocatalytic performances in practical applications. During electrocatalytic experiments, the Pt‐based electrocatalysts may detach from the working electrode, suffer from Ostwald ripening and agglomeration and thus size increase, and/or the carbon support/carbon rod may be corroded, leading to their relative poor stability [38–40] . Moreover, the active Pt dissolves into the electrolyte during the testing procedure, especially in the acidic condition, also brings a negative effect to their durability [41] .…”

“…During electrocatalytic experiments, the Pt-based electrocatalysts may detach from the working electrode, suffer from Ostwald ripening and agglomeration and thus size increase, and/or the carbon support/carbon rod may be corroded, leading to their relative poor stability. [38][39][40] Moreover, the active Pt dissolves into the electrolyte during the testing procedure, especially in the acidic condition, also brings a negative effect to their durability. [41] To date, the widely employed methods for estimating the durability of Pt-based nanocatalysts to AOR are CA tests and cycling stability measurements, which are generally performed in a mixture of alcohol molecules in an acid or alkaline.…”

Enhanced Performance of Ionomer Binder with Shorter Side‐Chains, Higher Dispersibility, and Lower Equivalent Weight

“…These developments are attributable to the high efficiency and outstanding performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) compared to other types of fuel cells. PEMFCs are characterized by reduced ohmic resistance owing to the use of a thin electrolyte membrane, reduced activation polarization because of the application of a high‐efficiency platinum (Pt) catalyst, and reduced mass transfer resistance resulting from the use of thin porous gas diffusion electrodes . Most of the commercialized membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) are fabricated by using catalyst ink‐based methods, such as spraying, decal transfer, brushing, spreading, and screen printing .…”

PtRu/C catalyst slurry preparation for large-scale decal transfer with high performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

“…Scientic studies related to proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) can be roughly divided into two categories: (1) more theoretical and lab-scale research on catalyst synthesis, nano-structure (alloy or non-precious metal catalysts, core/shell structure) of electrocatalyst, and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) mechanisms related studies, mainly using half-cell data; [1][2][3][4][5] and (2) more practical and industrial-scale research like membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) studies aimed at achieving optimal/maximum performance for practical application of fuel cell technology in the eld, mainly using singlecell data. [6][7][8][9][10] While it is scientically important to develop platinum (Pt) catalyst alternatives or to explore catalytic mechanisms that will be the foundation for technology development in the future, [1][2][3] MEA studies are also signicant for immediate practical application and the commercialization of related scientic studies. 9 MEAs are composed of ve parts as follows: a cathode gas diffusion layer and a cathode catalyst layer, an electrolyte membrane, an anode catalyst layer and an anode gas diffusion layer.…”

“…The fuel cell performance is based on the manufacturing method, how to fabricate the catalyst particles over the polymer electrolyte membrane, and depends greatly on the detailed condition of the experiments made at the time of fabrication. 10 To date, several MEA manufacturing techniques have been developed, such as catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) and catalyst-coated gas diffusion layer or substrate (CCG or CCS) methods. [11][12][13][14][15] More specically, slurry, which contains catalyst nanoparticles and ionomer binder is applied directly onto the surface of a polymer electrolyte membrane using means such as spraying in the CCM.…”