Abstract
Here, we report for the first time the results of systematic characterization of a low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane direct ethanol fuel cell using DC and AC electrochemical methods. Model catalysts (carbon supported Pt nanoparticles) painted on carbon paper are used as anode and cathode. Influence of physical parameters, such as cell temperature, current density, and ethanol concentration, and anode fuel flow rate on overall cell impedance is studied. Analysis of the obtained impedance spectra in connection with DC measurements allows us to comment on cell properties and to separate different contributions to the overall cell polarization. Our results suggest that the cell impedance is dominated by anode faradaic impedance, with a small or negligible contribution from cathode faradaic impedance. The anode impedance depends strongly on current density and cell temperature, but is not significantly influenced by ethanol concentration. Presence of anode mass-transfer impedance, even when ethanol was fed to the cell in high excess, is confirmed. Based on the results, we conclude that changes in ethanol electro-oxidation mechanism might manifest themselves on the impedance spectra in the low-frequency inductive loop. Nonetheless, further studies involving equivalent circuit modelling are needed to determine the exact influence of the cell parameters on the anode kinetics.Graphical
Highlights
Low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEM FCs) are considered promising energy sources for sustainable and environment-friendly energy conversion [1]
We present results of systematic electrochemical investigation of direct ethanol fuel cells with carbon-supported platinum electrodes using DC and AC methods and assess the influence of basic working parameters on the cell properties
Polarization curves for DEFC with Pt anode and cathode and the corresponding polarization resistance dependence on current density registered for different ethanol concentrations are presented in Fig. 1a and b, respectively
Summary
Low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEM FCs) are considered promising energy sources for sustainable and environment-friendly energy conversion [1]. We present results of systematic electrochemical investigation of direct ethanol fuel cells with carbon-supported platinum electrodes using DC (galvanostatic polarization) and AC (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) methods and assess the influence of basic working parameters (ethanol concentration, anode flow rate, temperature, current density) on the cell properties.
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