The Electrolyte Factor in O2 Reduction Electrocatalysis

Abstract

The performance of acid fuel cells operating at moderate temperatures (less than or = 250 deg C) is limited by the irreversibility of the O2 cathode. Much effort has been directed to identifying more active catalysts than highly dispersed platinum which sets the present bench mark. The optimization of the choice of electrolytes, however, also provides a way to speed up the kinetics. This paper lists, various ways in which the electrolyte can influence the kinetics of the O2 reduction and discusses a few in more detail. The conclusion is reached that the adsorption of electrolyte components has a pronounced effect but that the kinetics do not have a strong dependence on pH or O2 solubility when mass transport control is not involved. Experimental results for a few new acid electrolytes and proton exchange membranes are presented.... Fuel cells operating on H2 and O2 in acid electrolyte, Oxygen reduction kinetics, Platinum electrocatalysts for cathodes, New acids for H2 - O2 fuel cells.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 23, 1993
Accession Number
ADA263565

Entities

People

  • A. Razaq
  • D. Gervasio
  • D. Tryk
  • E. Yeager
  • M. Razaq

Organizations

  • Case Western Reserve University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acids
  • Adsorption
  • Catalysis
  • Catalysts
  • Cells
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Diffusion Coefficient
  • Electrolytes
  • Energy
  • Fluoropolymers
  • Fuel Cells
  • Kinetics
  • Polymeric Films
  • Spectra
  • Transition Metals

Readers

  • Electrochemical Surface Science
  • Polymer Science and Engineering.
  • Theoretical Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Microelectronics