Improved Electrodes for High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells using Carbon Nanospheres

ChemSusChem. 2016 May 23;9(10):1187-93. doi: 10.1002/cssc.201600050. Epub 2016 Apr 14.

Abstract

This work evaluates the use of carbon nanospheres (CNS) in microporous layers (MPL) of high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) electrodes and compares the characteristics and performance with those obtained using conventional MPL based on carbon black. XRD, hydrophobicity, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller theory, and gas permeability of MPL prepared with CNS were the parameters evaluated. In addition, a short life test in a fuel cell was carried out to evaluate performance under accelerated stress conditions. The results demonstrate that CNS is a promising alternative to traditional carbonaceous materials because of its high electrochemical stability and good electrical conductivity, suitable to be used in this technology.

Keywords: carbon nanospheres; electrode; fuel cells; microporous; proton exchange membrane.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carbon / chemistry*
  • Electric Power Supplies*
  • Electrodes
  • Hot Temperature*
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Nanospheres / chemistry*
  • Porosity
  • Protons*

Substances

  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Protons
  • Carbon