A Study of the Degradation of Platinum Black Fuel Cell Cathodes.
Abstract
The report deals with a study of the mode of cathode electrocatalyst degradation in the H2-air phosphoric acid matrix fuel cell. The surface area changes which occur with thermal treatment of the Pt black electrocatalyst itself and as Teflon-Bonded fuel cell electrode material in air and in hot, concentrated H3PO4 electrolyte have been determined by BET, electrochemical, and X-ray techniques. The influence of such factors as temperature, electrode potential, and electrocatalyst characteristics (particle size) has been examined. Sintering of dry Pt black in air at temperatures of 100-150C results in a loss of surface area, apparently by an agglomeration of crystallites with no real increase in average grain size. Sintering in air of dry Teflon-bonded platinum black electrode material shows less marked surface area changes as compared to surface area losses in the H3PO4 electrolyte. Surface area losses are a function of electrode potential, with low anodic potentials leading to more marked losses. (Author Modified Abstract)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0757714
Entities
People
- Calvin Leung
- H. Feng
- P. A. Malachesky