Electrocatalytic properties of the nanostructured electrodes and membranes in hydrogen-air fuel cells

Abstract

The new catalytic electrodes and electrolytes for fuel cells and their synthesis methods have been described. The catalytic properties of the nanostructured membranes and electrodes are investigated both in vitro and in hydrogen-air fuel cell, in situ. The hybrid perfluorinated membranes, with the inorganic nanosize additives, were synthesized. An acceleration of electrode reactions during testing these membranes in fuel cell was observed. This shows the possibility of promotion effect of inorganic additives in the catalytic reaction of oxygen reduction at the electrode. The investigated membranes have enhanced transport properties, especially at low humidity. The nano-structured electrodes based on carbon nanofibers combined with gas diffusion layer have been developed. The high efficiency of carbon nanofibers grown in diffusion layer as catalyst support was shown; the efficiency of the prepared electrodes for oxygen electroreduction reaction is higher than efficiency of electrodes with the commercial catalyst E-TEK 20% Pt/C.