Commercial platinum group metal-free cathodic electrocatalysts for highly performed direct methanol fuel cell applications

Lo Vecchio, C.; Serov, A.; Romero, H.; Lubers, A.; Zulevi, B.; Aricò, A. S.; Baglio, V.

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2019.226948

Commercial platinum group metal-free cathodic electrocatalysts for highly performed direct methanol fuel cell applications

Journal Article · Mon Jul 29 00:00:00 EDT 2019 · Journal of Power Sources

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2019.226948· OSTI ID:2351807

^[1]; Serov, A. ^[2]; Romero, H. ^[2]; Lubers, A. ^[2]; Zulevi, B. ^[2]; ^[3]; ^[3]

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Messina (Italy); Pajarito Powder, LLC
Pajarito Powder, LLC, Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Messina (Italy)

For the first time methanol tolerant Platinum Group Metal-free (PGM-free) Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) electrocatalyst commercially available on market is integrated into the cathodic layer of highly performed Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC). The intrinsic ORR activity of Fe–N–C electrocatalyst is studied by Rotating Disk Electrode (RDE) technique with and with no methanol added, confirming material inactivity towards Methanol Oxidation Reaction (MOR). The electrocatalyst is tested in DMFC conditions where such important parameters as catalyst:ionomer ratio, concentration of methanol and operational temperature are varied and optimized for highest performance. Here, the obtained activity and methanol tolerance in RDE measurements of commercial Fe–N–C catalyst is found to be comparable with previously reported state-of-the-art PGM-free cathodic materials. Furthermore, this material, used at the cathode compartment of a DMFC, allows reaching the highest power density recorded for PGM-free catalysts in a DMFC until now under similar conditions.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Pajarito Powder, LLC, Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0008419

OSTI ID:: 2351807

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1545478
OSTI ID: 1799492

Journal Information:: Journal of Power Sources, Journal Name: Journal of Power Sources Vol. 437; ISSN 0378-7753

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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