Abstract
The development of catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in low-temperature fuel cells depends on efficient and accurate electrochemical characterization methods. Currently, two primary techniques exist: rotating disk electrode (RDE) measurements in half-cells with liquid electrolyte and single cell tests with membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs). While the RDE technique allows for rapid catalyst benchmarking, it is limited to electrode potentials far from operating fuel cells. On the other hand, MEAs can provide direct performance data at realistic conditions but require specialized equipment and large quantities of catalyst, making them less ideal for early-stage development. Using sputtered platinum thin-film electrodes, we show that gas diffusion electrode (GDE) half-cells can be used as an intermediate platform for rapid benchmarking at fuel-cell relevant current densities (~1 A cm−2). Furthermore, we demonstrate how different parameters (loading, electrolyte concentration, humidification, and Nafion membrane) influence the performance of unsupported platinum catalysts. The specific activity could be measured independent of the applied loading at potentials down to 0.80 VRHE reaching a value of 0.72 mA cm−2 at 0.9 VRHE in the GDE. By comparison with RDE measurements and Pt/C measurements, we establish the importance of catalyst characterization under realistic reaction conditions.
Highlights
Fuel cell technologies, which convert chemical energy directly into clean electricity, are expected to play a key role in environmentally friendly energy conversion schemes [1]
Platinum-based catalysts typically catalyze both the oxidation of hydrogen at the anode and the reduction of oxygen at the cathode of Polymer exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs); as a result, the overall cost of the PEMFC technology is closely linked with the platinum loading [4]
We present the electrochemical characterization of platinum thin-films in a gas diffusion electrode (GDE)
Summary
Fuel cell technologies, which convert chemical energy directly into clean electricity, are expected to play a key role in environmentally friendly energy conversion schemes [1]. Polymer exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are very promising both for transportation and stationary applications [2,3]. Platinum-based catalysts typically catalyze both the oxidation of hydrogen at the anode and the reduction of oxygen at the cathode of PEMFCs; as a result, the overall cost of the PEMFC technology is closely linked with the platinum loading [4]. The slow kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The loading at the cathode accounts for the majority of platinum usage in PEMFC. In order to reduce the Pt loading, most scientific and industrial
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