Suppression of Membrane Degradation Accompanied with Increased Output Performance in Fuel Cells by Use of Silica-Containing Anode Catalyst Layers.

ABSTRACT: Polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) for fuel cells are chemically degraded by the attack of ·OH radicals generated from the decomposition of H₂O₂, which is predominantly produced at the Pt/C hydrogen anode. The incorporation of conventional radical scavengers into the PEM suffers from a decrease in the output performance. We, for the first time, demonstrate that the addition of hygroscopic silica nanoparticles (NPs) to the Pt/C anode catalyst layer provides a remarkably prolonged (ca. 4 times) lifetime of a Nafion membrane in an accelerated stress test and open circuit voltage (OCV) holding at 90 °C, accompanied by improved output (I-E) performances at low relative humidity. It has been found that the use of silica NPs decreases H₂O₂ form

SUBMITTER: Berber MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10020968 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature