Enhancement of high temperature PEMFC stability using catalysts based on Pt supported on SiC based materials

Abstract

With the aim of overcome the carbon supports of high temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel cells (HT-PEMFC) electrodes, two novel non-carbonaceous support based on SiC have been assessed, SiC and SiCTiC. 40% wt. Pt was successfully deposited on them and they were physicochemical and electrochemically characterized. Both catalysts on SiC based materials showed a very high electrochemical stability in the half cell experiments in comparison with Pt on carbon support, showing a lower degradation rate of the electrochemical surface area (ECSA). Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEAs) were prepared with the different catalysts and tested in a single cell (25 cm2) operated at 160 °C. The Pt/SiCTiC showed a good performance and the highest stability in the fuel cell tests carried under the same operation conditions.

Con el objetivo de superar los soportes de carbono de los electrodos de celdas de combustible de membrana de intercambio de protones (HT-PEMFC) de alta temperatura, se han evaluado dos nuevos soportes no carbonosos basados ​​en SiC, SiC y SiCTiC. 40% en peso Sobre ellos se depositó con éxito Pt y se caracterizaron fisicoquímicamente y electroquímicamente. Ambos catalizadores sobre materiales basados ​​en SiC mostraron una estabilidad electroquímica muy alta en los experimentos de media celda en comparación con el Pt sobre soporte de carbono, mostrando una menor tasa de degradación del área superficial electroquímica (ECSA). Los conjuntos de electrodos de membrana (MEA) se prepararon con los diferentes catalizadores y se probaron en una sola celda (25 cm 2 ) operada a 160 ° C. El Pt / SiCTiC mostró un buen rendimiento y la mayor estabilidad en las pruebas de pila de combustible realizadas en las mismas condiciones de funcionamiento.