Overcoming the Electrode Challenges of High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are becoming a major part of a greener and more sustainable future. However, the costs of high-purity hydrogen and noble metal catalysts alongside the complexity of the PEMFC system severely hamper their commercialization. Operating PEMFCs at high temperatures (HT-PEMFCs, above 120 °C) brings several advantages, such as increased tolerance to contaminants, more affordable catalysts, and operations without liquid water, hence considerably simplifying the system. While recent progresses in proton exchange membranes for HT-PEMFCs have made this technology more viable, the HT-PEMFC viscous acid electrolyte lowers the active site utilization by unevenly diffusing into the catalyst layer while it acutely poisons the catalytic sites. In recent years, the synthesis of platinum group metal (PGM) and PGM-free catalysts with higher acid tolerance and phosphate-promoted oxygen reduction reaction, in conjunction with the design of catalyst layers with improved acid distribution and more triple-phase boundaries, has provided great opportunities for more efficient HT-PEMFCs. The progress in these two interconnected fields is reviewed here, with recommendations for the most promising routes worthy of further investigation. Using these approaches, the performance and durability of HT-PEMFCs will be significantly improved.

In situ self-assembled N-rich carbon on pristine graphene as a highly effective support and cocatalyst of short Pt nanoparticle chains for superior electrocatalytic activity toward methanol oxidation

Highly conductive cocatalysts with great promotion effects are critical for the development of pristine graphene supported Pt-based catalysts for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). However, identification of these cocatalysts and controlled fabrication of Pt/cocatalyst/graphene hybrids with superior catalytic performance present great challenges. For the first time, pristine graphene supported N-rich carbon (NC) has been controllably fabricated via ionic-liquid-based in situ self-assembly for in situ growth of small and uniformly dispersed Pt NP chains to improve the MOR catalytic activity. It is discovered that the NC serves simultaneously as a linker to facilitate in situ nucleation of Pt, a stabilizer to restrict its growth and aggregation, and a structure-directing agent to induce the formation of Pt NP chains. The obtained nanohybrid shows a much higher forward peak current density than commercial Pt/C and most reported noncovalently functionalized carbon (NFC) supported Pt catalysts, a lower onset potential than almost all commercial Pt/C and NFC supported Pt, and greatly enhanced durability compared to graphene supported Pt NPs and commercial Pt/C. The superior catalytic performance is ascribed to the uniformly dispersed, small-diameter, and short Pt NP chains supported on highly conductive G@NC providing high ECSA and improved CO tolerance and the NC with high content of graphitic N greatly enhancing the intrinsic activity and CO tolerance of Pt and offering numerous binding sites for robustly attaching Pt. This work not only identifies and controllably fabricates a novel cocatalyst to significantly promote the catalytic activity of pristine graphene supported Pt but provides a facile and economical strategy for the controlled synthesis of high-performance integrated catalysts for the MOR in DMFCs.

Intrinsic Effect of Carbon Supports on the Activity and Stability of Precious Metal Based Catalysts for Electrocatalytic Alcohol Oxidation in Fuel Cells: A Review

Electrocatalyst supports, in particular carbonaceous materials, play critical roles in the electrocatalytic activity and stability of precious metal group (PMG)-based catalysts such as Pt, Pd, and Au for the electrochemical alcohol oxidation reaction (AOR) of fuels such as methanol and ethanol in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Carbonaceous supports such as high surface area carbon provide electronic contact throughout the catalyst layer, isolate PMG nanoparticles (NPs) to maintain high electrochemical surface area, and provide hydrophobic properties to avoid flooding of the catalyst layer by liquid water produced. Compared to high surface area carbon, PMG catalysts supported on 1D and 2D carbon materials such as graphene and carbon nanotubes show enhanced activity and durability due to the intrinsic effect of the underlying carbonaceous supports on the electronic states of PMG NPs. The modification of the electronic environment, in particular the d-band centers of PMG NPs, weakens the adsorption of AOR intermediates, facilitates breaking of the C-C bonds, and thus enhances the electrocatalytic activity of PMG catalysts. The doping of heteroatoms further facilitates the electrocatalytic activity for the AOR through the structural, bifunctional, and electronic effects, in addition to the enhanced dispersion of PMG NPs in the carbon support. The prospects for the development of effective PMG-based catalysts for high-performance alcohol-fuel-based PEMFCs is discussed.

Hierarchically structured 3D carbon nanotube electrodes for electrocatalytic applications

Hierarchically structured 3-dimensional electrodes based on branched carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are prepared on a glassy carbon (GC) substrate in a sequence of electrodeposition and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) steps as follows: Primary CNTs are grown over electrodeposited iron by CVD followed by a second Fe deposition and finally the CVD growth of secondary CNTs. The prepared 3-dimensional CNT structures (CNT/CNT/GC) exhibit enhanced double-layer capacitance and thus larger surface area compared to CNT/GC. Pt electrodeposition onto both types of electrodes yields a uniform and homogeneous Pt nanoparticle distribution. Each preparation step is followed by scanning electron microscopy, while the CNTs were additionally characterized by Raman spectroscopy. In this way it is demonstrated that by varying the parameters during the electrodeposition and CVD steps, a tuning of the structural parameters of the hierarchical electrodes is possible. The suitability of the hierarchical electrodes for electrocatalytic applications is demonstrated using the methanol electro-oxidation as a test reaction. The Pt mass specific activity towards methanol oxidation of Pt-CNT/CNT/GC is approximately 2.5 times higher than that of Pt-CNT/GC, and the hierarchical electrode exhibits a more negative onset potential. Both structures demonstrate an exceptionally high poisoning tolerance.

Synthesis of Cobalt Phosphide Nanoparticles Supported on Pristine Graphene by Dynamically Self-Assembled Graphene Quantum Dots for Hydrogen Evolution

A highly active, durable, and low-cost hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalyst is desirable for energy storage through water splitting but its fabrication presents great challenges. Herein, mediated by dynamically self-assembled graphene quantum dots (GQDs), small, uniform, high-density, and well-dispersed CoP nanoparticles were grown in situ on pristine graphene for the first time. This hybrid nanostructure was then employed as HER electrocatalyst, showing an onset potential of 7 mV, an overpotential of 91.3 mV to achieve 10 mA cm^-2 , a Tafel slope of 42.6 mV dec^-1 , and an exchange current density of 0.1225 mA cm^-2 , all of which compare favorably to those of most reported non-noble-metal catalysts. The developed catalyst also exhibits excellent durability with negligible current loss after 2000 cyclic voltammetry cycles (+0.01 to -0.17 V vs. RHE) or 34 h of chronoamperometric measurement at an overpotential of 91.3 mV. This work not only develops a new strategy for the fabrication of high-performance and inexpensive electrocatalysts for HER but also provides scientific insight into the mechanism of the dynamically self-assembled GQDsmediated synthesis process.

A General Method for Constructing Two-Dimensional Layered Mesoporous Mono- and Binary-Transition-Metal Nitride/Graphene as an Ultra-Efficient Support to Enhance Its Catalytic Activity and Durability for Electrocatalytic Application

We constructed a series of two-dimensional (2D) layered mesoporous mono- and binary-transition-metal nitride/graphene nanocomposites (TMN/G, TM = Ti, Cr, W, Mo, TiCr, TiW, and TiMo) via an efficient and versatile nanocasting strategy for the first time. The 2D layered mesoporous TMN/G is constituted of small TMN nanoparticles composited with graphene nanosheets and has a large surface area with high porosity. Through decoration with well-dispersed Pt nanoparticles, 2D layered mesoporous Pt/TMN/G catalysts can be obtained that display excellent catalytic activity and stability for methanol electro-oxidation reactions (MOR) and oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) in both acidic and alkaline media. The 2D layered mesoporous binary-Pt/TMN/G catalysts possess catalytic activity superior to that of mono-Pt/TMN/G, graphene free Pt/TMN, Pt/G, and Pt/C catalysts. Encouragingly, the 2D layered mesoporous Pt/Ti0.5Cr0.5N/G catalyst exhibits the best electrocatalytic performance for both MOR and ORR. The outstanding electrocatalytic performance of the Pt/Ti0.5Cr0.5N/G catalyst is rooted in its large surface area, high porosity, strong interaction among Pt, Ti0.5Cr0.5N, and graphene, an excellent electron transfer property facilitated by N-doped graphene, and the small size of Pt and Ti0.5Cr0.5N nanocrystals. The outstanding catalytic performance provides the 2D layered mesoporous Pt/Ti0.5Cr0.5N/G catalyst with a wide range of application prospects in direct methanol fuel cells in both acidic and alkaline media. The synthetic method may be available for constructing other 2D layered mesoporous metal nitrides, carbides, and phosphides.

Self-assembled platinum nanoparticles on sulfonic acid-grafted graphene as effective electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation in direct methanol fuel cells

In this article, sulfonic acid-grafted reduced graphene oxide (S-rGO) were synthesized using a one-pot method under mild conditions, and used as Pt catalyst supports to prepare Pt/S-rGO electrocatalysts through a self-assembly route. The structure, morphologies and physicochemical properties of S-rGO were examined in detail by techniques such as atomic force microscope (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The S-rGO nanosheets show excellent solubility and stability in water and the average particle size of Pt nanoparticles supported on S-rGO is ~3.8 nm with symmetrical and uniform distribution. The electrocatalytic properties of Pt/S-rGO were investigated for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). In comparison to Pt supported on high surface area Vulcan XC-72 carbon (Pt/VC) and Pt/rGO, the Pt/S-rGO electrocatalyst exhibits a much higher electrocatalytic activity, faster reaction kinetics and a better stability. The results indicate that Pt/S-rGO is a promising and effective electrocatalyst for MOR of DMFCs.

Platinum nanocatalysts on metal oxide based supports for low temperature fuel cell applications

In this manuscript a survey of the contemporary research related to platinum nanocatalysts on metal oxide based supports for low temperature fuel cell applications is presented.

Preparation of hollow PtCu nanoparticles as high-performance electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction in the absence of a surfactant

Hollow PtCu nanoparticles of about 6.9 nm supported on Vulcan XC-72 were synthesized by a facile method in the absence of a surfactant.

Hierarchically structured catalyst layer for the oxygen reduction reaction fabricated by electrodeposition of platinum on carbon nanotube coated carbon fiber

Hierarchically structured fuel cell cathode catalysts consisting of Pt-nanoparticle clusters coated on a CNT-based, ORR active catalyst support were synthesized.

A tungsten carbide/iron sulfide/FePt nanocomposite supported on nitrogen-doped carbon as an efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction

Novel multi-component WC/FeS/FePt/NC electrocatalysts with excellent mass activity and superior durability are developed for the oxygen reduction reaction in fuel cells.

A polymerized ionic liquid functionalized cathode catalyst support for a proton exchange membrane CO2 conversion cell

This present study aims at the efficient conversion of CO₂ to formic acid using a proton exchange membrane cell by selective functionalization of a cathode catalyst support.

Self-standing carbon nanotube forest electrodes for flexible supercapacitors

A self-standing, vertically aligned carbon nanotube forest grown on unidirectional carbon fibers has been fabricated by using chemical vapour deposition.