From Fundamental Interfacial Reaction Kinetics to Macroscopic Current–Voltage Characteristics: Case Study of Solid Acid Fuel Cell Limitations and Possibilities

Wang, Louis S.; Haile, Sossina M.

doi:10.1002/admi.202400119

Title: From Fundamental Interfacial Reaction Kinetics to Macroscopic Current–Voltage Characteristics: Case Study of Solid Acid Fuel Cell Limitations and Possibilities

Journal Article · 27 May 2024 · Advanced Materials Interfaces

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202400119 · OSTI ID:2368600

Wang, Louis S. ^[1];

^[1]

Materials Science and Engineering Northwestern University Evanston IL 60208 USA

Abstract The unique properties of solid acid electrolytes, in particular CsH ₂ PO ₄ , are in many ways ideal for fuel cell operation. However, the technology is constrained by high cathode overpotentials. Here a simplified cathode geometry is employed to obtain the fundamental electrochemical parameters (exchange current density and charge transfer coefficient) describing the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the CsH ₂ PO ₄ ‐Pt‐gas interface. The parameters are incorporated into a 1D model of the voltage–current characteristics of realistic SAFC cathodes, which reproduced the measured polarization behavior of such cathodes without recourse to fitting adjustable parameters. Following this validation, the model is utilized to evaluate the impact of changes to cathode properties, microstructure, and operating conditions. Of these, the charge transfer coefficient, measured to have a value of ≈0.6 for ORR on Pt in the SAFC cathode environment, is found to have the greatest impact on power output. Nevertheless, even without material modifications, a combination of microstructural and operational modifications are identified with projected performance metrics meeting Department of Energy targets (0.8 V at 300 mA cm ⁻² , and peak power density of 1 W cm ⁻² ), albeit at high Pt loadings. However, the analysis indicates that truly meaningful advances will likely necessitate the discovery of alternative ORR catalysts.

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: NONE; SC0023450

OSTI ID:: 2368600

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2375042; OSTI ID: 2403371

Journal Information:: Advanced Materials Interfaces, Journal Name: Advanced Materials Interfaces Journal Issue: 20 Vol. 11; ISSN 2196-7350

Publisher:: Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: Germany

Language:: English

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