Abstract
An alternative method for the preparation of PEMFC electrodes is presented in this work based on the direct deposition of Pt particles onto the gas diffusion layer (Pt@GDL) by hydrothermal reduction of the H2PtCl6 precursor from formic acid, ethylene glycol, and ethanol reductive solutions. There is a successful anchorage of Pt particles via the formation of Pt crystal aggregates. The influence of the reducing agent concentration and temperature was studied to analyze their influence on the size, morphology, and distribution of the Pt particles on the gas GDL. The prepared Pt@GDL was tested for formic acid and ethanol high-temperature H3PO4-doped PEMFC. The Pt@GDL prepared in the formic acid reductive atmosphere presented the best performance associated with the formation of smaller Pt crystals and a more homogeneous dispersion of the Pt particles. For formic acid and ethanol-fed high-temperature PEMFC using a H3PO4-doped polybenzimidazole membrane as the solid electrolyte, maximum power densities of 0.025 and 0.007 W cm−2 were drawn at 200 °C, respectively.
Highlights
Over the last few years, there has been a solid worldwide commitment for increasing the participation of renewable energies sources (RES) in the energy panorama [1]
Formic acid is emerging as a candidate as it can be synthesized from biomass or from CO2 capture [3]
In the catalyst-coated substrate (CCS) method, the catalytic layer (CL) is deposited onto a carbon substrate, generally a porous gas diffusion layer (GDL), allowing a more uniform distribution of the catalyst
Summary
Over the last few years, there has been a solid worldwide commitment for increasing the participation of renewable energies sources (RES) in the energy panorama [1]. In the CCS method, the CL is deposited onto a carbon substrate, generally a porous gas diffusion layer (GDL) (paper, felt or cloth), allowing a more uniform distribution of the catalyst. Both strategies can be applied for printing (screen, inkjet, flexography or spray coating), sputtering, or electrochemical deposition (the latter only applicable to CCS) [21]. We propose an alternative direct deposition of Pt particles onto the carbon support for preparing the fuel cell electrodes by a hydrothermal reduction method. The Pt@GDL electrodes are tested in a vapor-fed DFAFC and DEFC using a PA-PBI membrane electrolyte under different operating temperatures
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