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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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6 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Nanostructured carbon electrocatalyst supports for intermediate-temperature fuel cells: Single-walled versus multi-walled structures

It is unknown if nanostructured carbons possess the requisite electrochemical stability to be used as catalyst supports in the cathode of intermediate-temperature solid acid fuel cells (SAFCs) based on the CsH2PO4 electrolyte. To investigate this application, single-walled carbon nanohorns (SWNHs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were used as supports for Pt catalysts in SAFCs operating at 250 °C. SWNH-based cathodes display greater maximum activity than their MWNT-based counterparts at a cell voltage of 0.8 V, but are unstable in the SAFC cathode as a consequence of electrochemical carbon corrosion. MWNT-based cells are resistant to this effect and capable of operation for at least 160 h at 0.6 V and 250 °C. Cells fabricated with nanostructured carbon supports are more active (52 mA cm -1 vs. 28 mA cm -1 at 0.8 V) than state-of-the-art carbon-free formulations while simultaneously displaying enhanced Pt utilization (40 mA mgPt -1 vs. 16 mA mgPt -1 at 0.8 V). Finally, these results suggest that MWNTs are a viable support material for developing stable, high-performance, low-cost air electrodes for solid-state electrochemical devices operating above 230 °C.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Hydrogen oxidation kinetics on platinum-palladium bimetallic thin films for solid acid fuel cells

Solid acid fuel cells (SAFCs) based on the proton-conductive electrolyte CsH 2 PO 4 have shown promising power densities at an intermediate operating temperature of ~250 °C. However, Pt loadings in SAFCs remain higher than desirable, and the electrocatalysis mechanisms in these devices are still unknown. Here, hydrogen oxidation kinetics on Pt and Pt-Pd bimetallic thin film electrodes on CsH 2 PO 4 have been evaluated to establish the potential for a beneficial role of Pd in SAFC anodes. Symmetric cells fabricated by depositing a metal film on both sides of electrolyte discs are characterized for studying hydrogen electro-oxidation across the gas|metal|CsH 2 PO 4 structure. It was found that Pd reacts with CsH 2 PO 4 , forming palladium phosphide at the metal-electrolyte interface. Accordingly, the activity of Pd was examined in a bilayer geometry of Pd|Pt|CsH 2 PO 4 |Pt|Pd. The bilayer Pt|Pd films showed much higher activity for hydrogen electro-oxidation than films of Pt alone, as measured by AC impedance spectroscopy. Ex situ low energy ion scattering and scanning transmission electron microscopy revealed that Pd diffused into the Pt layer under operating conditions. The dramatic impact of Pd along with its presence throughout the film suggests that it catalyzes reactions at both the metal-gas and metal-electrolyte interfaces, as well as increasing hydrogen diffusion rates through the films.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

From Fundamental Interfacial Reaction Kinetics to Macroscopic Current–Voltage Characteristics: Case Study of Solid Acid Fuel Cell Limitations and Possibilities

The unique properties of solid acid electrolytes, in particular CsH 2 PO 4 , are in many ways ideal for fuel cell operation. However, the technology is constrained by high cathode overpotentials. Here a simplified cathode geometry is employed to obtain the fundamental electrochemical parameters (exchange current density and charge transfer coefficient) describing the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the CsH 2 PO 4 -Pt-gas interface. The parameters are incorporated into a 1D model of the voltage–current characteristics of realistic SAFC cathodes, which reproduced the measured polarization behavior of such cathodes without recourse to fitting adjustable parameters. Following this validation, the model is utilized to evaluate the impact of changes to cathode properties, microstructure, and operating conditions. Of these, the charge transfer coefficient, measured to have a value of ≈0.6 for ORR on Pt in the SAFC cathode environment, is found to have the greatest impact on power output. Nevertheless, even without material modifications, a combination of microstructural and operational modifications are identified with projected performance metrics meeting Department of Energy targets (0.8 V at 300 mA cm –2 , and peak power density of 1 W cm –2 ), albeit at high Pt loadings. However, the analysis indicates that truly meaningful advances will likely necessitate the discovery of alternative ORR catalysts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Bottom up synthesis of boron-doped graphene for stable intermediate temperature fuel cell electrodes

The high surface area and electrical conductivity of few-layered graphene would make it an ideal catalyst support and electrode in fuel cells apart from its susceptibility to oxidative corrosion. Here we report the single-step, bottom-up synthesis of oxidation-resistant boron-doped graphene and show its increased stability in the aggressive electrochemical environment of intermediate temperature solid acid fuel cells (SAFCs). Boron was shown to alter the growth mode of single walled carbon nanohorns by laser vaporization to produce high yields of thin (<20 layer) boron-doped (2–3 at.%) crystalline flakes of turbostratic graphene (B-GLF). Alternatively, adding partial pressures of hydrogen less effectively shifted the growth mode of SWCNHs toward planar, turbostratic graphene-like flakes (GLFs). Thermogravimetric analysis indicates that boron-doping enhances the oxidation resistance of few-layer GLFs by >140 °C, with large fractions of multilayered B-GLFs surviving 10 °C/min ramps to 1000 °C. These B-GLFs provided a stable Pt catalyst support and electrode over 40 h operation in SAFCs with cesium dihydrogen phosphate electrolyte operating at 250 °C, as opposed to undoped GLFs or SWCNHs which were nearly completely consumed. Furthermore, the facile synthesis and oxidation-resistant properties of boron-doped GLF appear promising for graphene applications in oxidizing environments.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Atomic layer deposition of Pt@CsH 2 PO 4 for the cathodes of solid acid fuel cells

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) has been used to apply continuous Pt films on powders of the solid acid CsH 2 PO 4 (CDP), in turn, used in the preparation of cathodes in solid acid fuel cells (SAFCs). The film deposition was carried out at 150 °C using trimethyl(methylcyclopentadienyl)platinum (MeCpPtMe 3 ) as the Pt source and ozone as the reactant for ligand removal. Chemical analysis showed a Pt growth rate of 0.09 ± 0.01 wt%/cycle subsequent to an initial nucleation delay of 84 ± 20 cycles. Electron microscopy revealed the contiguous nature of the films prepared using 200 or more cycles. The cathode overpotential (0.48 ± 0.02 V at a current density of 200 mA/cm 2 ) was independent of Pt deposition amount beyond the minimum required to achieve these continuous films. The cell electrochemical characteristics were moreover extremely stable with time, with the cathode overpotentials increasing by no more than 10 mV over a 100 h period of measurement. So, ALD holds promise as an effective tool in the preparation of SAFC cathodes with high activity and excellent stability.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Solid Acid Fuel Cell Stack for APU Applications

Solid acid fuel cell technology affords the opportunity to operate at the 200-300 degree centigrade regime that would allow for more fuel flexibility, compared to polymer electrode membrane fuel cell, while avoiding the relatively more expensive and complex system components required by solid oxide fuel cell. This project addresses many factors such as MEA size scalability, fuel robustness, stability, etc., that are essential for successful commercialization of the technology.

08 HYDROGEN↗