Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Microbial Fuel Cells

Microbial Fuel Cells

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are bioelectrochemical devices that generate electricity by exploiting the metabolic processes of electrogenic bacteria. These systems provide a renewable energy source and serve as an innovative method for treating organic waste, such as wastewater.A typical MFC consists of two chambers: an anoxic (oxygen-free) compartment that houses the bacteria and an oxic (oxygen-rich) compartment that contains oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor. Many MFCs use proton...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Correction: Protocol for a cluster-randomized control trial of a remote workplace resilience intervention for early care and education providers: The OnWARD trial.

PloS one·2026

Same author

Protocol for a cluster-randomized control trial of a remote workplace resilience intervention for early care and education providers: The OnWARD trial.

PloS one·2026

Same author

Multimethod assessment of parenting strategies for managing early adolescents' social media use.

Journal of research on adolescence : the official journal of the Society for Research on Adolescence·2026

Same author

A comprehensive activity-stability correlation study of tantalum-doped tin oxide as a support for iridium oxide in low loading water electrolysis cell anodes.

RSC applied interfaces·2025

Same author

Platinum-based nanoalloys for the oxygen reduction reaction: exposing the true active phase <i>via in situ/operando</i> techniques.

Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP·2025

Same author

The Efficacy of Technology-Enhanced Behavioral Parent Training for Families With Low Income: Do Parent-Centered Profiles Moderate Treatment Outcomes?

Behavior therapy·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Reverse Microemulsion-mediated Synthesis of Monometallic and Bimetallic Early Transition Metal Carbide and Nitride Nanoparticles

Reverse Microemulsion-mediated Synthesis of Monometallic and Bimetallic Early Transition Metal Carbide and Nitride Nanoparticles

Published on: November 27, 2015

Hollow microspheres with a tungsten carbide kernel for PEMFC application.

Julien Bernard d'Arbigny¹, Gilles Taillades, Mathieu Marrony

¹Institut Charles Gerhardt Montpellier, CNRS UMR 5253, Laboratoire des Agrégats Interfaces et Matériaux pour l'Energie, Université Montpellier II, Place E. Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.

Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)

|May 11, 2011

Summary

New tungsten carbide microspheres offer superior platinum nanoparticle dispersion and enhanced stability for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), outperforming traditional catalysts.

More Related Videos

High Throughput Single-cell and Multiple-cell Micro-encapsulation

High Throughput Single-cell and Multiple-cell Micro-encapsulation

Published on: June 15, 2012

Fabricating Highly Open Porous Microspheres (HOPMs) via Microfluidic Technology

Fabricating Highly Open Porous Microspheres (HOPMs) via Microfluidic Technology

Published on: May 16, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Reverse Microemulsion-mediated Synthesis of Monometallic and Bimetallic Early Transition Metal Carbide and Nitride Nanoparticles

Reverse Microemulsion-mediated Synthesis of Monometallic and Bimetallic Early Transition Metal Carbide and Nitride Nanoparticles

Published on: November 27, 2015

High Throughput Single-cell and Multiple-cell Micro-encapsulation

High Throughput Single-cell and Multiple-cell Micro-encapsulation

Published on: June 15, 2012

Fabricating Highly Open Porous Microspheres (HOPMs) via Microfluidic Technology

Fabricating Highly Open Porous Microspheres (HOPMs) via Microfluidic Technology

Published on: May 16, 2022

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Electrochemistry
Nanotechnology

Background:

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) require efficient and stable electrocatalysts.
Traditional platinum on carbon (Pt/C) electrocatalysts face challenges in stability and dispersion.
Developing novel support materials is crucial for advancing PEMFC technology.

Purpose of the Study:

To synthesize and characterize novel tungsten carbide microspheres as a support for platinum nanoparticles.
To evaluate the performance and stability of these new electrocatalysts in PEMFC applications.
To compare the efficacy of tungsten carbide microspheres against conventional Pt/C catalysts.

Main Methods:

Hydrothermal synthesis of tungsten carbide microspheres with a core-shell structure.
High-resolution characterization of microsphere morphology and surface area.
Preparation and electrochemical testing of platinum nanoparticle-decorated tungsten carbide catalysts.
Durability testing under simulated PEMFC operating conditions.

Main Results:

The hydrothermal method yielded tungsten carbide microspheres with a high surface area.
Platinum nanoparticles exhibited excellent dispersion on the tungsten carbide support.
The resulting Pt/tungsten carbide electrocatalysts demonstrated significantly improved electrochemically active surface area (EAS) stability.
Enhanced catalytic activity and durability were observed compared to standard Pt/C catalysts.

Conclusions:

Tungsten carbide microspheres are a promising support material for PEMFC electrocatalysts.
The unique structure of these microspheres enhances platinum dispersion and catalyst stability.
This advancement offers a potential pathway to more durable and efficient proton exchange membrane fuel cells.