Novel Intermetallic Catalysts to Enhance PEM Membrane Durability

Francis J. DiSalvo

关键词: ANODES;    CATALYSTS;    CATHODES;    ELECTROLYTES;    FUEL CELLS;    HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS;    IMPURITIES;    MEMBRANES;    PLATINUM;    SURFACE AREA Fuel Cell Catalysts;    Platinum;    Catalyst Poisoning;    Catalyst Durability;   

DOI  :  10.2172/944969
RP-ID  :  DOE/ER/46259-1
PID  :  OSTI ID: 944969
Others  :  TRN: US201007%%219

学科分类：再生能源与代替技术

美国|英语

来源: SciTech Connect

【 摘 要 】

The research examined possible sources of degradation of platinum based anode catalysts under long term use. Scientists at the United Technologies Research Center had shown that the anode as well as the cathode catalysts degrade in hydrogen fuel cells. This goal of this research was to see if mechanisms of anode degradation could be understood using forefront electrochemical techniques in an aqueous system. We found that this method is limited by the very low levels of impurities (perhaps less than a part per trillion) in the electrolyte. This limitation comes from the relatively small catalyst surface area (a few sq cm or less) compared to the electrolyte volume of 10 to 25 ml. In real fuel cells this ratio is completelyreversed: high catalyst surface area and low electrolyte violume, making the system much less sensitive to impurities in the electrolyte. We conclude that degradation mechanisms should be studied in real fuel cell systems, rather than in ex-situ, large electrolyte volume experiments.