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Title: Enhanced Performance of non-PGM Catalysts in Air Operated PEM-Fuel Cells

Journal Article · · International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [3];  [2]
  1. Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Chemical Sciences & Engineering Division; Northern Illinois Univ., DeKalb, IL (United States). Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry
  2. Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Chemical Sciences & Engineering Division
  3. Northern Illinois Univ., DeKalb, IL (United States). Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry
+ Show Author Affiliations

Here a non-platinum group metal (non-PGM) oxygen reduction catalyst was prepared from “support-free” zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) precursor and tested in the proton exchange membrane fuel cell with air as the cathode feed. The iron nitrogen and carbon composite (FeeNeC) based catalyst has high specific surface area decorated uniformly with active sites, which redefines the triple phase boundary (TPB) and requires re-optimization of the cathodic membrane electrode fabrication to ensure efficient mass and charge transports to the catalyst surface. This study reports an effort in optimizing catalytic ink formulation for the membrane electrode preparation and its impact to the fuel cell performance under air. Through optimization, the fuel cell areal current density as high as 115.2 mA/cm2 at 0.8 V or 147.6 mA/cm2 at 0.8 ViR-free has been achieved under one bar air. We also investigated impacts on fuel cell internal impedance and the water formation.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Sustainable Transportation Office. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies Office
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357; AC02-06CH11457
OSTI ID:
1339102
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1397005
Journal Information:
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Vol. 41, Issue 47; ISSN 0360-3199
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 9 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

References (34)

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Cited By (2)

A specific demetalation of Fe–N 4 catalytic sites in the micropores of NC_Ar + NH 3 is at the origin of the initial activity loss of the highly active Fe/N/C catalyst used for the reduction of oxygen in PEM fuel cells journal January 2018
Progress in the Development of Fe‐Based PGM‐Free Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction journal December 2018

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37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
Fuel cell
ionomer
non-PGM catalyst
Oxygen reduction reaction
Non-platinum group metal
MOF
Fe-N-C catalyst