Skip to main content

Development of Alternative and Durable High Performance Cathode Supports for PEM Fuel Cells


EMSL Project ID
24990

Abstract

The poor durability of cathode supports and catalysts in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is a key technical barrier for stationary and transportation applications. Carbon support corrosion poses significant concerns at high electrode potentials and is accelerated during start/stop cycles and during higher temperature operation (>100°C). Graphitized supports show better but still insufficient corrosion resistance. To address the critical issues associated with the carbon support, we have assembled a strong multi-disciplinary team led by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) with participations of Ballard Power Systems (BPS), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and the University of Delaware (UD). The goal is to develop and evaluate new classes of alternative and durable high-performance cathode supports for PEM fuel cells.

Project Details

Project type
Large-Scale EMSL Research
Start Date
2007-05-31
End Date
2009-09-30
Status
Closed

Team

Principal Investigator

Yong Wang
Institution
Washington State University

Team Members

Yuyan Shao
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Prashant Kumar
Institution
Washington State University

Rong Kou
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Zhenrong Zhang
Institution
Baylor University

Jun Liu
Institution
Yale University

Ja Hun Kwak
Institution
Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology

Mark Engelhard
Institution
Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory

Vilayanur Viswanathan
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Related Publications

Stabilization of Electrocatalytic Metal Nanoparticles at Metal−Metal Oxide−Graphene Triple Junction Points

Kou R, Y Shao, D Mei, Z Nie, D Wang, CM Wang, VV Viswanathan, SK Park, IA Aksay, Y Lin, Y Wang, and J Liu. 2011. "Stabilization of Electrocatalytic Metal Nanoparticles at Metal-Metal Oxide-Graphene Triple Junction Points." Journal of the American Chemical Society 133(8):2541-2547. doi:10.1021/ja107719u

Facile synthesis of PtAu alloy nanoparticles with high activity for formic acid oxidation

Zhang S, Y Shao, G Yin, and Y Lin. 2010. "Facile synthesis of PtAu alloy nanoparticles with high activity for formic acid oxidation." Journal of Power Sources 195(4):1103-1106 . doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.08.054

Low-cost and durable catalyst support for fuel cells: Graphite submicronparticles

Zhang S, Y Shao, X Li, Z Nie, Y Wang, J Liu, G Yin, and Y Lin. 2010. "Low-cost and durable catalyst support for fuel cells: graphite submicronparticles." Journal of Power Sources 195(2):457-460. doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.08.012

The corrosion of PEM fuel cell catalyst supports and its implications for developing durable catalysts

Shao Y, J Wang, R Kou, MH Engelhard, J Liu, Y Wang, and Y Lin. 2009. "The Corrosion of PEM Fuel Cell Catalyst Supports and Its Implications for Developing Durable Catalysts." Electrochimica Acta 54:3109-3114. doi:10.1016/j.electacta.2008.12.001