Modeling Hierarchical Non-Precious Metal Catalyst Cathodes for PEFCs Using Multi-Scale X-ray CT Imaging

Komini Babu, S.; Chung, H. T.; Wu, G.; Zelenay, P.; Litster, S.

doi:10.1149/06403.0281ecst

Title: Modeling Hierarchical Non-Precious Metal Catalyst Cathodes for PEFCs Using Multi-Scale X-ray CT Imaging

Abstract

This paper reports the development of a model for simulating polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) with non-precious metal catalyst (NPMC) cathodes. NPMCs present an opportunity to dramatically reduce the cost of PEFC electrodes by removing the costly Pt catalyst. To address the significant transport losses in thick NPMC cathodes (ca. >60 µm), we developed a hierarchical electrode model that resolves the unique structure of the NPMCs we studied. A unique feature of the approach is the integration of the model with morphology data extracted from nano-scale resolution X-ray computed tomography (nano-CT) imaging of the electrodes. A notable finding is the impact of the liquid water accumulation in the electrode and the significant performance improvement possible if electrode flooding is mitigated.

Authors:

Komini Babu, S. ^[1]; Chung, H. T. ^[2]; Wu, G. ^[2]; Zelenay, P. ^[2]; Litster, S. ^[1]

Carnegie Mellon Univ., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Publication Date:: Mon Aug 18 00:00:00 EDT 2014

Research Org.:: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). Fuel Cell Technologies Program (EE-3F)

OSTI Identifier:: 1375886

Report Number(s):: LA-UR-17-24489
Journal ID: ISSN 1938-6737

Grant/Contract Number:: AC52-06NA25396

Resource Type:: Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:: ECS Transactions (Online)

Additional Journal Information:: Journal Name: ECS Transactions (Online); Journal Volume: 64; Journal Issue: 3; Journal ID: ISSN 1938-6737

Publisher:: Electrochemical Society

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

Subject:: 30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION; Energy Sciences; Fuel Cell, computed tomography,

Citation Formats


                    Komini Babu, S., Chung, H. T., Wu, G., Zelenay, P., and Litster, S. Modeling Hierarchical Non-Precious Metal Catalyst Cathodes for PEFCs Using Multi-Scale X-ray CT Imaging.  United States: N. p., 2014. 
Web.  doi:10.1149/06403.0281ecst.

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                    Komini Babu, S., Chung, H. T., Wu, G., Zelenay, P., & Litster, S. Modeling Hierarchical Non-Precious Metal Catalyst Cathodes for PEFCs Using Multi-Scale X-ray CT Imaging.  United States.  https://doi.org/10.1149/06403.0281ecst

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                    Komini Babu, S., Chung, H. T., Wu, G., Zelenay, P., and Litster, S. Mon .  
"Modeling Hierarchical Non-Precious Metal Catalyst Cathodes for PEFCs Using Multi-Scale X-ray CT Imaging".  United States.  https://doi.org/10.1149/06403.0281ecst.  https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1375886.

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@article{osti_1375886,

  title        = {Modeling Hierarchical Non-Precious Metal Catalyst Cathodes for PEFCs Using Multi-Scale X-ray CT Imaging},

  author       = {Komini Babu, S. and Chung, H. T. and Wu, G. and Zelenay, P. and Litster, S.},

  abstractNote = {This paper reports the development of a model for simulating polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) with non-precious metal catalyst (NPMC) cathodes. NPMCs present an opportunity to dramatically reduce the cost of PEFC electrodes by removing the costly Pt catalyst. To address the significant transport losses in thick NPMC cathodes (ca. >60 µm), we developed a hierarchical electrode model that resolves the unique structure of the NPMCs we studied. A unique feature of the approach is the integration of the model with morphology data extracted from nano-scale resolution X-ray computed tomography (nano-CT) imaging of the electrodes. A notable finding is the impact of the liquid water accumulation in the electrode and the significant performance improvement possible if electrode flooding is mitigated.},

  doi          = {10.1149/06403.0281ecst},

  journal      = {ECS Transactions (Online)},

  number       = 3,

  volume       = 64,

  place        = {United States},

  year         = {Mon Aug 18 00:00:00 EDT 2014},

  month        = {Mon Aug 18 00:00:00 EDT 2014}

}

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https://doi.org/10.1149/06403.0281ecst

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Cited by: 16 works

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Works referencing / citing this record:

Carbon‐Based Metal‐Free ORR Electrocatalysts for Fuel Cells: Past, Present, and Future
journal, January 2019

Yang, Lijun; Shui, Jianglan; Du, Lei
Advanced Materials, Vol. 31, Issue 13
DOI: 10.1002/adma.201804799

Integrating PGM‐Free Catalysts into Catalyst Layers and Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Devices
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Banham, Dustin; Choi, Ja‐Yeon; Kishimoto, Takeaki
Advanced Materials, Vol. 31, Issue 31
DOI: 10.1002/adma.201804846

Progress in the Development of Fe‐Based PGM‐Free Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
journal, December 2018

Martinez, Ulises; Komini Babu, Siddharth; Holby, Edward F.
Advanced Materials, Vol. 31, Issue 31
DOI: 10.1002/adma.201806545

Recent Progress in Synthesis, Characterization and Evaluation of Non-Precious Metal Catalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
journal, January 2016

Dombrovskis, J. K.; Palmqvist, A. E. C.
Fuel Cells, Vol. 16, Issue 1
DOI: 10.1002/fuce.201500123

Non-noble Metal (NNM) Catalysts for Fuel Cells: Tuning the Activity by a Rational Step-by-Step Single Variable Evolution
book, April 2016

Monteverde Videla, Alessandro H. A.; Osmieri, Luigi; Specchia, Stefania
Electrochemistry of N4 Macrocyclic Metal Complexes
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-31172-2_3

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Title: Modeling Hierarchical Non-Precious Metal Catalyst Cathodes for PEFCs Using Multi-Scale X-ray CT Imaging

Abstract

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