Advancing direct ethanol fuel cell operation at intermediate temperature by combining Nafion-hybrid electrolyte and well-alloyed PtSn/C electrocatalyst

The advancement of direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) represents a real challenge to electrochemical science because ethanol changes significantly the triple phase boundary properties such as the redox reactions and the proton transport. Ethanol molecules promote poor fuel cell performance due to their...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Dresch, Mauro André, Matos, Bruno Ribeiro, Godoi, Denis Ricardo Martins [UNESP], Linardi, Marcelo, Fonseca, Fabio Coral, Villullas, Hebe de las Mercedes [UNESP], Santiago, Elisabete Inacio
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2021
País:Brasil
Institución:Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)
Repositorio:Repositório Institucional da UNESP
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.unesp.br:11449/208441
Acceso en línea:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.01.123
http://hdl.handle.net/11449/208441
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Direct ethanol fuel cell
Hybrid electrolyte
IT-DEFC
Nafion-SiO2
PtSn/C
Descripción
Sumario:The advancement of direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) represents a real challenge to electrochemical science because ethanol changes significantly the triple phase boundary properties such as the redox reactions and the proton transport. Ethanol molecules promote poor fuel cell performance due to their slow oxidation rate, reduction of the proton transport due to high affinity of ethanol by the membrane, and due to mixed potential when the ethanol molecules reach the cathode by crossover. DEFC performance has been improved by advances in the membranes, e.g., low ethanol crossover polymer composites, or electrode materials, e.g., binary/ternary catalysts. Herein, high temperature (130 °C) DEFC tests were systematically investigated by using optimized electrode and electrolyte materials: Nafion-SiO2 hybrid electrolyte and well-alloyed PtSn/C electrocatalyst. By optimizing both the electrode and the electrolyte in conjunction, DEFCs operating at 130 °C exhibited a threefold increase on performance as compared to standard commercially available materials.