Theoretical Studies in Enhancing the Efficiency of Cathode and Anode Materials in PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells)

Abstract

In this report we provide details on our recent study on enhancing the efficiency of cathode materials for PFME cells. We chose nickel clusters as the prime material because of the following reasons: (1) wide availably in the earth crust, (2) cheap, (3) equally active as Pt material, and (4) clusters are very active than bulk. We dope several transition metals (Group VIIIB, IB and IIB) in to the Nickel clusters and study their stability and electronic properties, H2 adsorption properties, and H2 dissociation (main process involved at the cathode site). We performed density functional studies of H2 adsorption and dissociation on a series of late transition metal (LTM) doped nickel clusters. The results indicate that the dopant play a major role in modulating the adsorption and dissociation of H2 on the clusters. Results have been submitted, Feb 2011, to the Journal of Physical Chemistry.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 04, 2011
Accession Number
ADA538127

Entities

People

  • Yoshi Kawazoe

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Adsorption
  • Catalysis
  • Cells
  • Charge Transfer
  • Chemical Dissociation
  • Chemisorption
  • Chemistry
  • Dissociation
  • Efficiency
  • Elements
  • Fuel Cells
  • Materials
  • Membranes
  • Metals
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Transition Metals
  • Transitions

Readers

  • Business Analytics
  • Electrochemical Engineering/ Fuel Cell Technologies
  • Quantum Chemistry

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Microelectronics