Proton Transport Functionality-Enabled Carbon Support for Improved Fuel Cell Performance and Durability

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are crucial for clean energy.
• Developing efficient and cost-effective catalyst supports is essential for their widespread adoption.
• Reducing ionomer content in electrodes is a key challenge for improving fuel cell performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a novel Monarch carbon material as a cathode catalyst support for PEM fuel cells.
• To investigate the impact of the carbon support's surface functional groups on proton conductivity.
• To assess the feasibility of designing electrodes with reduced ionomer content using Monarch carbon.

Main Methods:

• X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to confirm surface functional groups (sulfonic acid).
• Dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) to measure water uptake.
• Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to evaluate proton conductivity.
• Fuel cell performance and durability testing.

Main Results:

• Monarch carbon exhibits sulfonic acid functionality and higher water uptake.
• PtCo/Monarch electrodes demonstrated superior proton conductivity compared to PtCo/C, especially at low ionomer-to-carbon (I/C) ratios.
• Electrodes with 75% less ionomer content using PtCo/Monarch showed improved high-current density performance and durability.

Conclusions:

• Monarch carbon is a promising material for PEM fuel cell catalyst supports.
• Its inherent proton conduction capability allows for significantly reduced ionomer loading.
• This advancement could lead to more efficient and cost-effective PEM fuel cell designs.