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Tandem cathode for proton exchange membrane fuel cells
Samira Siahrostami1, Mårten E Björketun, Peter Strasser
1Center for Atomic-scale Materials Design (CAMD), Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark.
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP
|May 11, 2013
Summary
This study proposes a new tandem cathode design for fuel cells, splitting oxygen reduction into two steps to improve efficiency. This approach avoids limitations of the traditional four-electron reaction, enhancing overall performance.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Proton exchange membrane fuel cell efficiency is limited by the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode.
- High cathodic overpotential arises from intermediate binding energy correlations in the four-electron ORR pathway.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel tandem cathode design to overcome limitations in the oxygen reduction reaction.
- To divide the four-electron ORR into two independent two-electron steps for independent optimization.
Main Methods:
- Utilized density functional theory (DFT) calculations.
- Integrated published experimental data for material identification.
Main Results:
- Proposed a tandem cathode design separating hydrogen peroxide formation and reduction.
- Identified Co-porphyrin for hydrogen peroxide formation (0.70 V).
- Suggested SrTiO3(100), CaTiO3(100), and WO3(100) for hydrogen peroxide reduction (1.76 V).
Conclusions:
- The tandem cathode design successfully bypasses the challenges of four-electron ORR.
- Independent optimization of catalysts for each step enhances fuel cell efficiency.
- Novel catalyst materials identified for improved ORR performance.
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