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Impact of Nickel Ions on the Oxygen Reduction Reaction Kinetics of Pt and on Oxygen Diffusion through Ionomer Thin Films

Journal Article · · Journal of the Electrochemical Society

The effects of dissolved nickel on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics and oxygen transport properties of perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) thin films were investigated using rotating disk electrode (RDE) measurements of ORR on a PFSA-coated platinum electrode. The electrochemical characterization in 0.1 M perchloric acid (HClO4) with and without added Ni2+ quantitatively measured the impact of ionic interactions between the Ni2+ cations and sulfonate (SO3-) anions on oxygen transport through the PFSA thin film. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) curves in deaerated electrolyte showed that Ni2+ cations diffusing through the PFSA thin film interact with the Pt surface altering the hydrogen underpotential deposition and stripping processes and decreasing ORR kinetics. The RDE limiting current results point to reduced permeability of oxygen through PFSA-Ni2+ compared to PFSA-H+. Furthermore, the results indicate that transition metals leached from Pt alloy catalyst may be detrimental not only to the intrinsic ORR kinetics of the PEFC cathode catalyst through loss of the ORR-enhancing transition metal, but may also inhibit the diffusion of oxygen to the catalytic sites and poison the ORR.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States_
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Transportation Office. Fuel Cell Technologies Office
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
1831733
Journal Information:
Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Journal Name: Journal of the Electrochemical Society Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 168; ISSN 0013-4651
Publisher:
IOP Publishing - The Electrochemical SocietyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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