Ultra-low platinum loading high-performance PEMFCs using buckypaper-supported electrodes

W. Zhu; J. P. Zheng; R. Liang; B. Wang; C. Zhang; G. Au; E. J. Plichta

doi:10.1016/j.elecom.2010.09.019

Ultra-low platinum loading high-performance PEMFCs using buckypaper-supported electrodes

W. Zhu
, J. P. Zheng
, R. Liang
, B. Wang
, C. Zhang
, G. Au
, E. J. Plichta

Department of Electrical Engineering

University at Buffalo

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

The microstructure of the catalyst layer in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) greatly influences catalyst (Pt) utilization and cell performance. We demonstrated a functionally graded catalyst layer based on a double-layered carbon nanotube/nanofiber film- (buckypaper) supported Pt composite catalyst to approach an idealized microstructure. The gradient distribution of Pt, electrolyte and porosity along the thickness effectively depresses the transport resistance of proton and gas. A rated power of 0.88 W/cm² at 0.65 V was achieved at 80 °C with a low Pt loading of 0.11 mg/cm² resulting in a relatively high Pt utilization of 0.18g_Pt/kW. The accelerated degradation test of catalyst support showed a good durability of buckypaper support because of the high graphitization degree of carbon nanofibers.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1654-1657
Number of pages	4
Journal	Electrochemistry Communications
Volume	12
Issue number	11
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elecom.2010.09.019
State	Published - Nov 2010

Keywords

Carbon nanofiber
Carbon nanotube
Gradient structure
PEMFCs

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10.1016/j.elecom.2010.09.019

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title = "Ultra-low platinum loading high-performance PEMFCs using buckypaper-supported electrodes",

abstract = "The microstructure of the catalyst layer in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) greatly influences catalyst (Pt) utilization and cell performance. We demonstrated a functionally graded catalyst layer based on a double-layered carbon nanotube/nanofiber film- (buckypaper) supported Pt composite catalyst to approach an idealized microstructure. The gradient distribution of Pt, electrolyte and porosity along the thickness effectively depresses the transport resistance of proton and gas. A rated power of 0.88 W/cm2 at 0.65 V was achieved at 80 °C with a low Pt loading of 0.11 mg/cm2 resulting in a relatively high Pt utilization of 0.18gPt/kW. The accelerated degradation test of catalyst support showed a good durability of buckypaper support because of the high graphitization degree of carbon nanofibers.",

keywords = "Carbon nanofiber, Carbon nanotube, Gradient structure, PEMFCs",

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doi = "10.1016/j.elecom.2010.09.019",

language = "English",

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T1 - Ultra-low platinum loading high-performance PEMFCs using buckypaper-supported electrodes

AU - Zhu, W.

AU - Zheng, J. P.

AU - Liang, R.

AU - Wang, B.

AU - Zhang, C.

AU - Au, G.

AU - Plichta, E. J.

PY - 2010/11

Y1 - 2010/11

N2 - The microstructure of the catalyst layer in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) greatly influences catalyst (Pt) utilization and cell performance. We demonstrated a functionally graded catalyst layer based on a double-layered carbon nanotube/nanofiber film- (buckypaper) supported Pt composite catalyst to approach an idealized microstructure. The gradient distribution of Pt, electrolyte and porosity along the thickness effectively depresses the transport resistance of proton and gas. A rated power of 0.88 W/cm2 at 0.65 V was achieved at 80 °C with a low Pt loading of 0.11 mg/cm2 resulting in a relatively high Pt utilization of 0.18gPt/kW. The accelerated degradation test of catalyst support showed a good durability of buckypaper support because of the high graphitization degree of carbon nanofibers.

AB - The microstructure of the catalyst layer in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) greatly influences catalyst (Pt) utilization and cell performance. We demonstrated a functionally graded catalyst layer based on a double-layered carbon nanotube/nanofiber film- (buckypaper) supported Pt composite catalyst to approach an idealized microstructure. The gradient distribution of Pt, electrolyte and porosity along the thickness effectively depresses the transport resistance of proton and gas. A rated power of 0.88 W/cm2 at 0.65 V was achieved at 80 °C with a low Pt loading of 0.11 mg/cm2 resulting in a relatively high Pt utilization of 0.18gPt/kW. The accelerated degradation test of catalyst support showed a good durability of buckypaper support because of the high graphitization degree of carbon nanofibers.

KW - Carbon nanofiber

KW - Carbon nanotube

KW - Gradient structure

KW - PEMFCs

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/78049286266

U2 - 10.1016/j.elecom.2010.09.019

DO - 10.1016/j.elecom.2010.09.019

M3 - Article

SN - 1388-2481

VL - 12

SP - 1654

EP - 1657

JO - Electrochemistry Communications

JF - Electrochemistry Communications

IS - 11

ER -

Ultra-low platinum loading high-performance PEMFCs using buckypaper-supported electrodes

Abstract

Keywords

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