Zirconium Oxide for PEFC Cathodes

Liu, Yan; Ishihara, Akimitsu; Mitsushima, Shigenori; Kamiya, Noriho; Ota, Ken Ichiro

doi:10.1149/1.1943550

Cited by 118 publications

(88 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Sebastián et al have also reported facile synthesis of Zr-and Ta-based ORR-active methanol-tolerant catalysts for direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) [15]. In addition, Ota research group has also reported ORR activity for ZrO 2 [16,17]. This material has been considered as a promising non-noble metal catalyst for PEMFCs (proton exchange membrane fuel cells) because of its availability, its observed ORR activity, and stability in the strong acidic environment of the PEMFC [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Synthesis optimization of carbon-supported ZrO2 nanoparticles from different organometallic precursors

et al. 2017

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We report here the synthesis of carbon-supported ZrO 2 nanoparticles from zirconium oxyphthalocyanine (ZrOPc) and acetylacetonate [Zr(acac) 4 ]. Using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS), we could investigate the thermal decomposition behavior of the chosen precursors. According to those results, we chose the heat treatment temperatures (T HT ) using partial oxidizing (PO) and reducing (RED) atmosphere. By X-ray diffraction we detected structure and size of the nanoparticles; the size was further confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. ZrO 2 formation happens at lower temperature with Zr(acac) 4 than with ZrOPc, due to the lower thermal stability and a higher oxygen amount in Zr(acac) 4 . Using ZrOPc at T HT C900°C, PO conditions facilitate the crystallite growth and formation of distinct tetragonal ZrO 2 , while with Zr(acac) 4 a distinct tetragonal ZrO 2 phase is observed already at T HT C750°C in both RED and PO conditions. Tuning of ZrO 2 nanocrystallite size from 5 to 9 nm by varying the precursor loading is also demonstrated. The chemical state of zirconium was analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which confirms ZrO 2 formation from different synthesis routes.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Synthesis optimization of carbon-supported ZrO2 nanoparticles from different organometallic precursors

et al. 2017

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“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] However, the issues of high cost, scarce sources and long-term durability limit their large-scale production and hinder the commercialization of PEM fuel cells. [10][11][12][13][14] In order to decrease the cost of electrocatalysts and eliminate their dependence on noble metals, various non-noble metal catalysts have been explored recently as alternatives to the Pt-based electrocatalysts, which include chalcogenide catalysts, [15][16][17][18][19] transition metal macrocyclic compounds, [20][21][22] transition metallic oxides [23][24][25][26][27] and carbon-based catalysts. [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] In particular, carbon-based catalysts doped with the heteroatoms such as nitrogen (N) or boron (B) have been paid much attention and been proposed as typical non-noble metal catalysts for ORR [36][37][38] in alkaline media.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Nitrogen-doped carbon xerogel: A novel carbon-based electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells

Jin

Zhang

Zhong

et al. 2011

Energy Environ. Sci.

173

117

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A low-cost, novel carbon-based electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), nitrogen-doped carbon xerogel (N-CX) was synthesized via a sol-gel polymerization method followed by a pyrolysis process. The N-CX catalyst exhibited a high activity for ORR, and a good stability in acid media. A high performance with a maximum power density of 360 mW cm À2 was achieved on a single PEM fuel cell with N-CX as the cathode electrocatalyst.As one of the key materials of PEM fuel cells, the electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in particular plays a critical role in determining cell performance, cost and durability. The platinumbased carbon-supported electrocatalysts (e.g. Pt/C) have been considered as the most effective elecrocatalysts for ORR in PEM fuel cells due to their high activities and good stabilities. 1-9 However, the issues of high cost, scarce sources and long-term durability limit their large-scale production and hinder the commercialization of PEM fuel cells. [10][11][12][13][14] In order to decrease the cost of electrocatalysts and eliminate their dependence on noble metals, various non-noble metal catalysts have been explored recently as alternatives to the Pt-based electrocatalysts, which include chalcogenide catalysts, 15-19 transition metal macrocyclic compounds, 20-22 transition metallic oxides 23-27 and carbon-based catalysts. [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] In particular, carbon-based catalysts doped with the heteroatoms such as nitrogen (N) or boron (B) have been paid much attention and been proposed as typical non-noble metal catalysts for ORR 36-38 in alkaline media. Especially, since Gong et al. 37 reported the superior activity and stability of nitrogen doped carbon nanotube in alkaline solution, the heteroatom doped carbon materials have been expected to be promising alternative Pt-based catalysts. The doped carbon-based catalysts demonstrate tailored physico-chemical properties, such as structure, electrical conductivity, surface properties and oxidation stability, depending on the amount of the incorporated heteroatoms. It is also reported that the incorporated heteroatoms in the carbon structure contribute to the catalytic activities for many reactions 39-41 including the ORR in alkaline media. However, the activities and stabilities of these catalysts in acidic media are still challenging.Recently, carbon xerogels have been reported as the electrode materials for capacitors and electrocatalyst supports because of their controllable structures, high electronic conductivities, good anticorrosion properties, facile preparations and low costs. 42-51 However, they are almost inactive towards the ORR in PEM fuel cells. In this paper, a nitrogen-doped carbon xerogel (N-CX) was developed by incorporating nitrogen into the carbon xerogel and employed as an electrocatalyst for ORR in PEM fuel cells. Broader contextDue to their advantages such as fast response, high efficiency, environmental friendliness, etc., PEM fuel cells are considered as the most promising power sources for t...

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“…There have been scattered reports of such activity in various oxides under a variety of conditions (including TiO 2 , ZrO 2 , Mo/V polyoxometallates, Mn, Co, Nb and Ta oxides, WO 3 , etc. [111][112][113][114][115][116][117][118][119][120] However, some of these materials dissolve under acidic conditions. Can the appropriate metals be doped into rutile to impart physical and chemical stability under acidic conditions, maintain conductivity and also impart catalytic activity?…”

Section: Catalytic Activity Of Oxidesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cornell Fuel Cell Institute: Materials Discovery to Enable Fuel Cell Technologies

Abruña¹,

DiSalvo²

2012

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IntroductionThe discovery and understanding of new, improved materials to advance fuel cell technology are the objectives of the Cornell Fuel Cell Institute (CFCI) research program. CFCI was initially formed in 2003. This report highlights the accomplishments from 2006-2009. Many of the grand challenges in energy science and technology are based on the need for materials with greatly improved or even revolutionary properties and performance. [1][2][3][4][5][6] This is certainly true for fuel cells, which have the promise of being highly efficient in the conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy. Fuel cells offer the possibility of efficiencies perhaps up to 90 % based on the free energy of reaction.Thus, there is considerable interest in fuel cells which, however, have yet to live up to their promise, not only for efficiency, but also for cost, durability, performance, etc. [7][8][9][10][11][12] Here, the challenges are clearly in the materials used to construct the heart of the fuel cell: the membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The MEA consists of two electrodes separated by an ionically conducting membrane. Each electrode is a nanocomposite of electronically conducting catalyst support, ionic conductor and open porosity, that together form three percolation networks that must connect to each catalyst nanoparticle; otherwise the catalyst is inactive.While there are a number of different fuel cell technologies 12, 13 , the CFCI is focused on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The broadest applications of these fuel cells in portable power or individual transportation vehicles The highest interest is in fuels that are carbon neutral, such as hydrogen, which could be carbon neutral if it is generated from sunlight, rather than from natural gas, as is done now. Fuels derived from algal or plant matter are also of interest, if we could discover catalysts that enable complete oxidation of those fuels, or if they could be efficiently converted to hydrogen.Our research program is divided into four main areas: Electrocatalysts and Supports, Self-Assembly and Meso-Structured Electrodes, Membranes and Theory. The first section is further sub-divided into combinatorial synthesis and screening, oxide supports, mechanistic studies and surface characterization. This report highlights selected advances rather than give an exhaustive account of previous results. A full appreciation of the scope and advances of our program can be garnered from our publications

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Zirconium Oxide for PEFC Cathodes

Cited by 118 publications

References 8 publications

Synthesis optimization of carbon-supported ZrO2 nanoparticles from different organometallic precursors

Synthesis optimization of carbon-supported ZrO2 nanoparticles from different organometallic precursors

Nitrogen-doped carbon xerogel: A novel carbon-based electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells

Cornell Fuel Cell Institute: Materials Discovery to Enable Fuel Cell Technologies

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