1. Bio-inspired Construction of Advanced Fuel Cell Cathode with Pt Anchored in Ordered Hybrid Polymer Matrix.
- Author
-
Xia, Zhangxun, Wang, Suli, Jiang, Luhua, Sun, Hai, Liu, Shuang, Fu, Xudong, Zhang, Bingsen, Sheng Su, Dang, Wang, Jianqiang, and Sun, Gongquan
- Subjects
- *
FUEL cell electrolytes , *FUEL cell efficiency , *OXYGEN reduction , *CHEMICAL reduction , *ELECTRIC power production from chemical action - Abstract
The significant use of platinum for catalyzing the cathodic oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) has hampered the widespread use of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The construction of well-defined electrode architecture in nanoscale with enhanced utilization and catalytic performance of Pt might be a promising approach to address such barrier. Inspired by the highly efficient catalytic processes in enzymes with active centers embedded in charge transport pathways, here we demonstrate for the first time a design that allocates platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) at the boundaries with dual-functions of conducting both electrons by aid of polypyrrole and protons via Nafion® ionomer within hierarchical nanoarrays. By mimicking enzymes functionally, an impressive ORR activity and stability is achieved. Using this brand new electrode architecture as the cathode and the anode of a PEMFC, a high mass specific power density of 5.23 W mg−1Pt is achieved, with remarkable durability. These improvements are ascribed to not only the electron decoration and the anchoring effects from the Nafion® ionomer decorated PPy substrate to the supported Pt NPs, but also the fast charge and mass transport facilitated by the electron and proton pathways within the electrode architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF