Recent progress in alkaline direct ethylene glycol fuel cells for sustainable energy production

An, Le; Chen, Rong

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2016.08.105

Cited by 159 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 86 publications

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“…[1][2][3] Direct ethylene glycol (EG) fuel cells (DEGFCs) have emerged as pertinent energy conversion devices, owing to their high energy density (7.56 kWh dm −3 ) and volumetric capacity (4.8 Ah mL −1 ), [4] and the appealing characteristics of EG, such embedded on binary-carbide/carbon aerogel composites (Pd@WC-Mo 2 C/C) were investigated, respectively, as anode catalyst for glycerol and EG oxidation, which showed mass activities (MAs) of ≈1300 and 600 mA mg −1 . [1][2][3] Direct ethylene glycol (EG) fuel cells (DEGFCs) have emerged as pertinent energy conversion devices, owing to their high energy density (7.56 kWh dm −3 ) and volumetric capacity (4.8 Ah mL −1 ), [4] and the appealing characteristics of EG, such embedded on binary-carbide/carbon aerogel composites (Pd@WC-Mo 2 C/C) were investigated, respectively, as anode catalyst for glycerol and EG oxidation, which showed mass activities (MAs) of ≈1300 and 600 mA mg −1 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomass‐Derived 3D Carbon Aerogel with Carbon Shell‐Confined Binary Metallic Nanoparticles in CNTs as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Microfluidic Direct Ethylene Glycol Fuel Cells

kumar

Manthiram

2019

Advanced Energy Materials

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as biological renewability, low toxicity, and easy storability. [5] Despite the recent improvements in DEGFCs, the technology is still hindered by the problems of conventional platinum (Pt) anode catalysts, such as surface poisoning, high cost, and scarcity. [6] Recently, palladium (Pd) nanostructures have emerged as a promising EG oxidation catalyst in alkaline media, eliminating the necessity of the Pt nanocatalyst for EG oxidation. [7] However, Pd nanocatalysts are prone to rapid deterioration under surface poisoning and instability. [8] The formation of bimetals with non-precious transition metals (PdM, M = Ni, Co, Fe, Cu, Mo, Sn, etc.) is an efficient strategy to improve the stability without sacrificing the catalytic activity. [9] The oxophilic nickel (Ni) is recognized as a naturally abundant metal with enhanced corrosion resistance. [10] The inclusion of Ni into the crystal lattice of Pd facilitates active sites for -OH adsorption (OH ads ) and weakens their interaction with reaction intermediates adsorbed onto the Pd surface. [10,11] In parallel, metal nanoparticles decorated on carbon supports have also been shown to improve EG oxidation via their high electrical conductivity and catalytic activity. [12] The 3D porous structure of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) could considerably control the aggregation or stacking of the adjacent subunits, facilitating a uniform distribution of metal nanoparticles and increasing the number of accessible reactive sites for catalytic surface reactions. [13] However, the conventional strategy used for the fabrication of metal nanoparticles anchored onto CNTs involves strenuous multistep procedures, and the acidification process involved distorts the interconnected conduction channels, which consequently limits the EG oxidation kinetics. [14] Hence, the development of catalytically active metal nanoparticles encased within the graphitic layers of CNTs is highly desirable. [15] The mass transfer capability and catalytic activity of carbon nanostructures could be further improved with the development of porosity and heteroatom doping into the carbon skeleton. [16] Recently, 3D carbon aerogels (CAs) have grasped prevailing research attention as free-standing electrodes for diverse energy applications owing to their large specific surface area, low density, interconnected fibrous structure, and rapid charge transport pathways. [17,18] In this context, Pd nanoparticles Flexible and 3D carbon aerogels (CAs) composed of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with carbon shell-confined binary palladium-nickel (Pd x -Ni y ) nanocatalysts on carbon fibers (Pd x -Ni y /NSCNT/CA) have been developed through a facile chemical vapor deposition method. The 3D porous carbon network and the synergistic effect of carbon shell-confined bimetal nanoparticles of rationally constructed aerogels facilitate enhanced electrocatalytic and antipoisoning activities toward ethylene glycol (EG) oxidation reaction compared to the commercial Pt/C catalyst. With the 3D morphological features and direct growth of Pd-Ni bimet...

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomass‐Derived 3D Carbon Aerogel with Carbon Shell‐Confined Binary Metallic Nanoparticles in CNTs as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Microfluidic Direct Ethylene Glycol Fuel Cells

kumar

Manthiram

2019

Advanced Energy Materials

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“…9,10 However, although there have been a number of demonstration projects, 6,10 performances are not yet sufficient for commercialization. 10 Ethylene glycol 11,12 and glycerol 13 are also being studied for use in fuel cells, but present more complex problems.…”

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confidence: 99%

Kinetics and Stoichiometry of Methanol and Ethanol Oxidation in Multi-Anode Proton Exchange Membrane Cells

Brueckner

Pickup

2017

J. Electrochem. Soc.

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The anode catalyst of a direct alcohol fuel cell (DAFC) influences its energy efficiency through both its effect on the cell potential and the reaction stoichiometry (average number of electrons released per fuel molecule; n av ). A method for determining these parameters simultaneously from a polarization curve (current vs. cell potential) is reported and various catalysts have been evaluated in a multi-anode cell. The cell was operated in crossover mode, in which fuel flows though the cathode chamber and diffuses though the membrane to be oxidized at the anode, to provide controlled mass transport conditions. Tafel analysis at low potentials provides kinetic information, while currents at high potentials provide n av values and their potential dependence. The method allows a number of catalysts to be compared under the same conditions, and provides characteristic parameters that could be compared across research groups. It is shown that while PtRu alloy catalysts provide faster kinetics than Pt for both methanol of ethanol oxidation, Pt can provide much higher stoichiometries for ethanol oxidation. The value of this methodology for catalyst screening is demonstrated with mixed Pt/C + PtRu/C anodes which show a pronounced synergistic effect relative to the individual Pt/C and PtRu/C catalysts. Direct alcohol fuel cells are emerging technologies for power production from renewable fuels.1-5 Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) with polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM) are already well developed and have achieved small scale commercialization.6-8 Direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFC) are more attractive for sustainable energy production.9,10 However, although there have been a number of demonstration projects, 6,10 performances are not yet sufficient for commercialization.10 Ethylene glycol 11,12 and glycerol 13 are also being studied for use in fuel cells, but present more complex problems.There are many challenges that are impeding the development of DAFC technology. 1,7,10,14 Relative to hydrogen PEMFCs, which already have relatively large markets, DAFCs suffer from much larger anode overpotentials, efficiency and power loses due to fuel crossover, and incomplete oxidation of the fuel. The primary requirement for commercialization of ethanol, ethylene glycol and glycerol fuel cells is the development of anode catalysts that oxidize these fuels completely to carbon dioxide at low overpotentials.12,15-17 Better anode catalysts are also required for widespread implementation of DMFC technology. 18The importance of DAFC technology for a sustainable energy future based on clean and efficient use of renewable fuels has resulted in intensive studies of the electrochemical oxidation of alcohols and the development of thousands of different anode catalysts. Generally, these have been evaluated at ambient temperatures in liquid electrolytes by cyclic voltammetry and in many cases by chronoamperometry. Products have been analyzed in some cases by techniques such as FTIR spectroscopy 16,[19][20][21] and differential electrochemica...

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“…Materials with high i f / i b ratios (typically up to 1) show a more efficient oxidation and less accumulation of carbonaceous species. All materials showed good poisoning tolerance, Pd/C nanocubes and commercial Pd/C showed an increase in the i f / i b ratio, which can be related to a fewer production of CO ads ‐like species on their surfaces, where electrochemical cycling could promote the formation of other by‐products instead of CO species such as glycolic acid, glyoxylic acid, oxalic acid or formic acid . Pd/C nanocubes showed the highest i f / i b ratio after the 100 th cycle, while PdMo/C showed the lowest.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Synthesis of a Small Amorphous PdMo/C Nanocatalyst and Pd Nanocubes Enclosed within (100) Planes and Their Use for Ethylene Glycol Electro–oxidation

et al. 2017

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In this work, PdMo/C and Pd/C nanocubes were synthesized and used for the electro‐oxidation of ethylene glycol. The XRD patterns revealed that the Pd/C nanocubes had an average crystallite size of 10.9 nm, whereas the PdMo/C nanoparticles were amorphous. HRTEM images indicated the presence of only cubic‐shaped nanoparticles for Pd/C nanocubes and semispherical nanoparticles for PdMo/C with sizes of 9 and 2 nm, respectively. XPS and line‐scan EDX spectroscopy confirmed the presence of Pd and Mo in the PdMo/C nanocatalyst, and Mo was determined to be incorporated with Pd in the form MoO3. The Pd/C nanocubes exhibited a current density that was 9.3 times higher than commercial Pd/C, demonstrating the superior activity of the (100) facet. The combined effects of the amorphous structure and the presence of molybdenum oxides enhanced the activity of PdMo/C, which demonstrated a 1.5‐fold increase current density with respect to the Pd/C nanocubes and a 12‐fold increase compared to commercial Pd/C.

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Recent progress in alkaline direct ethylene glycol fuel cells for sustainable energy production

Cited by 159 publications

References 86 publications

Biomass‐Derived 3D Carbon Aerogel with Carbon Shell‐Confined Binary Metallic Nanoparticles in CNTs as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Microfluidic Direct Ethylene Glycol Fuel Cells

Biomass‐Derived 3D Carbon Aerogel with Carbon Shell‐Confined Binary Metallic Nanoparticles in CNTs as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Microfluidic Direct Ethylene Glycol Fuel Cells

Kinetics and Stoichiometry of Methanol and Ethanol Oxidation in Multi-Anode Proton Exchange Membrane Cells

Synthesis of a Small Amorphous PdMo/C Nanocatalyst and Pd Nanocubes Enclosed within (100) Planes and Their Use for Ethylene Glycol Electro–oxidation

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