High-performing commercial Fe–N–C cathode electrocatalyst for anion-exchange membrane fuel cells

Adabi, Horie; Shakouri, Abolfazl; Ul Hassan, Noor; Varcoe, John R.; Zulevi, Barr; Serov, Alexey; Regalbuto, John R.; Mustain, William E.

doi:10.1038/s41560-021-00878-7

High-performing commercial Fe–N–C cathode electrocatalyst for anion-exchange membrane fuel cells

Journal Article · Thu Aug 05 00:00:00 EDT 2021 · Nature Energy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-021-00878-7· OSTI ID:2351808

Adabi, Horie ^[1]; ^[2]; Ul Hassan, Noor ^[2]; ^[3]; ^[4]; ^[4]; Regalbuto, John R. ^[2]; ^[2]

University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC (United States); Pajarito Powder, LLC; tstephenson@pajaritopowder.com
University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC (United States)
University of Surrey, Guildford (United Kingdom)
Pajarito Powder, LLC, Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Here, to reduce the cost of fuel cell stacks and systems, it is important to create commercial catalysts that are free of platinum group metals (PGMs). To do this, such catalysts must have very high activity, but also have the correct microstructure to facilitate the transport of reactants and products. Here, we show a high-performing commercial oxygen reduction catalyst that was specifically developed for operation in alkaline media and is demonstrated in the cathode of operating anion-exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs). With H₂/O₂ reacting gases, AEMFCs made with Fe–N–C cathodes achieved a peak power density exceeding 2 W cm^–2 (>1 W cm^–2 with H₂/air) and operated with very good voltage durability for more than 150 h. These AEMFCs also realized an iR-corrected current density at 0.9 V of 100 mA cm^–2. Finally, in a second configuration, Fe–N–C cathodes paired with low-loading PtRu/C anodes (0.125 mg PtRu per cm², 0.08 mg Pt per cm²) demonstrated a specific power of 10.4 W per mg PGM (16.25 W per mg Pt).

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

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

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO)

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0008419; EE0008433

OSTI ID:: 2351808

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1848776

Journal Information:: Nature Energy, Journal Name: Nature Energy Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 6; ISSN 2058-7546

Publisher:: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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