Studies of Modified Hydrogen Storage Intermetallic Compounds Used as Fuel Cell Anodes

Abstract

Abstract:The possibility of substituting Pt/C with the hydrogen storage alloy MlNi 3.6 Co 0.85 Al 0.3 Mn 0.3 as the anode active material of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell system has been analyzed. The electrochemical properties indicate that a much more electrochemically active anode is obtained by impregnating the active material loaded anode in a Nafion proton conducting polymer. Such performance improvement might result from the increase of three-phase boundary sites or length in the gas diffusion electrode where the electrochemical reaction occurs. The experimental data revealed that the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) shows better results when the anode active material, MlNi 3.6 Co 0.85 Al 0.3 Mn 0.3 , is treated with a hot alkaline KBH 4 solution, and then chemically coated with 3 wt.% Pd. The MEA with the aforesaid modification presents an enhanced surface capability for hydrogen adsorption, and has been studied by molecular beam-thermal desorption spectrometry.

Boron-Based (Nano-)Materials: Fundamentals and Applications

“…It was, for example, successfully used to reduce the oxide layer forming on the surface of the intermetallic material MlNi 3.6 Co 0.85 Al 0.3 Mn 0.3 used as a fuel cell anode. This work was reported by Chen et al [6].…”

Microstructure and Electrical Properties of Fe,Cu Substituted (Co,Mn)3O4 Thin Films

“…Simultaneous addition of Cu and Fe does not lead to such rapid grain growth and therefore doubly doped composition offers an important stability advantage. 4 have been prepared by spray pyrolysis at 390 • C. Electrical conductivity and microstructural changes of layers have been evaluated up to 800 • C. Spray pyrolysis is proven to produce dense spinel layers at temperatures of only 800 • C, which is lower than for standard ceramic processing methods. Maximum electronic conductivity is found for layers experiencing a maximum processing temperature of 700 • C, whereas no changes in the activation energy were noticed for different maximum processing temperatures.…”

“…The concentration of cations in each precursor was fixed at 0.2 mol/L. For precursor preparation, Mn(NO 3 4 nitrate salts were mixed in a stoichiometric ratio 1:2, 1:1.6:0.4, 1:1.6:0.4 and 1:1.6:0.2:0.2, respectively. Salts were dissolved in a mixture of deionized water, diethylene glycol and tetraethylene glycol (1:1:8 vol % respectively).…”

“…Many future efficient energy conversion and storage technologies depend on the development of new electroceramic materials with desired and tailored properties [1][2][3][4][5]. Materials based on MnCo 2 O 4 are interesting for a broad range of applications, from room temperature to high temperatures (800 • C).…”