Suppression of Potential Oscillations in PEFCs by Using Anode Catalyst Prepared by Polygonal Barrel‐Sputtering Method

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the suppression of potential oscillations that occur while feeding H2 gas including a large amount of CO to polymer electrolyte fuel cells. A carbon‐supported Pt–Ru alloy (Pt–Ru/C) sample was prepared by the polygonal barrel‐sputtering method. Electrochemical measurement was conducted in 1 N H2SO4 electrolyte solution saturated with H2 gas including CO of 1,000 ppm. From the measurement, it was found that the prepared Pt–Ru/C sample showed higher CO tolerance than a commercially available sample, and therefore, potential oscillations in the case of the prepared sample occurred for slightly longer intervals. Additional samples were prepared by sputtering different amounts of Ru on the prepared Pt–Ru/C sample, and it was observed that the average interval of potential oscillations increased with the amount of Ru. This result suggests that in the case of the polygonal barrel‐sputtering method, Ru plays an important role in suppressing potential oscillations and influences the CO tolerance of Pt–Ru/C.

Is power generation possible by feeding carbon dioxide as reducing agent to polymer electrolyte fuel cell?

“…The same type of poisoning and recovery is reported at a PEFC fed by a H 2 gas containing CO gas which adsorbs on the anode catalyst. 28 In Fig. 5, the reduction current at the cathode of the fuel cell is observed for 24 h, showing that the CO 2 reduction continuously takes place.…”