SEPTEMBER 22, 2023
Examining how cathode catalyst layer platinum loading affects the durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells
by Industrial Chemistry & Materials
Representation of degradation mechanisms on Pt/C cathode depending on the catalyst loading during an accelerated stress test in PEMFCs. Credit: Marian Chatenet, CNRS, Grenoble INP (Institute of Engineering and Management Univ. Grenoble Alpes), LEPMI, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, 38000 Grenoble, France
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) hold promise as a replacement for fossil fueled engines in heavy-duty vehicles. Reducing the platinum content in catalysts is pivotal for scaling up in such applications. Yet, the degradation patterns of low platinum content catalysts remain poorly understood. A team of scientists conducted experiments to shed light on the degradation mechanisms associated with varying catalyst content, offering valuable insights.
Their work is published in the journal Industrial Chemistry & Materials.
In the field of heavy-duty vehicles, the PEMFC is a technology that will make it possible to replace the use of fossil fuels. However, there is an obstacle to the development of this technology, the use of platinum as a catalyst. Platinum is a rare and costly metal, impeding the commercialization of this technology, so it is necessary to reduce the amount used in the PEMFC electrodes.
Four different platinum loadings (0.05 up to 0.3 mgPt cm-2) of the cathode catalyst layer were used to study the durability of PEMFC electrode-membrane assemblies. This study was based on a multiple stressor accelerated stress test targeting the membrane and the electrodes.
Read the full article at: Examining how cathode catalyst layer platinum loading affects the durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (techxplore.com)