Analysis of Pt/C electrode performance in a flowing-electrolyte alkaline fuel cell |
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Authors: | Fikile R. Brushett Matthew S. Naughton Jia Wei Desmond Ng Leilei Yin Paul J.A. Kenis |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;2. Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;3. Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA |
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Abstract: | We characterize the performance of Pt/C-based electrodes under alkaline conditions using a microfluidic H2/O2 fuel cell as an analytical platform. Both anodes and cathodes were investigated as a function of electrode preparation procedures (i.e., hot pressing, acclimatization) and fuel cell operating parameters (i.e., electrolyte composition) via chronoamperometric and electrochemical impedance analyses. X-ray micro-computed tomography was employed to link electrode structure to performance. In addition, the flowing electrolyte stream is used to study the effects of carbonates on individual electrode and overall fuel cell performance. Our studies provide direct evidence that the performance of hydrogen-fueled room-temperature alkaline fuel cells (AFCs) is limited by transport processes to and from the anode primarily due to water formation. Furthermore, the presence of carbonate species in the electrolyte appears to impact only anode performance whereas cathode performance remains unchanged. |
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Keywords: | Alkaline fuel cell Electrode characterization X-ray micro-computed tomography Microfluidic fuel cell Carbonates |
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