Parameters for Efficient Fuel Cell Catalyst Structures
Abstract
A rational design of the catalyst structure based on fundamental studies is the key to fuel cells with high performance. The focus of this project was to study anode as well as cathode reactions relevant to fuel cells such as the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR), the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) and the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Also the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was under detailed investigation due to its importance as key reaction in hydrogen production via electrolysis. Major aspects of highly efficient catalysts are the morphology of the catalyst particles (e.g. particle size, particle height, inter-particle distance) and the influence of the support on their reactivity. The project followed the strategy of creating model electrode structures which allowed to fundamentally understanding the influence of the above mentioned parameters on the reactions. Electrochemical methods (e.g. potentiostatic and galvanostatic pulse techniques) were used in order to study the influence on HOR/HER, ORR and MOR. In-situ electrochemical scanning tunnelling microscopy (EC-STM), electrochemical atomic force microscopy (EC-AFM) and scanning electrochemical potential microscopy (SECPM) allowed investigating morphological and structural properties of the model catalysts. Single Pt particles were also locally investigated using an EC-STM.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 03, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA545173
Entities
People
- Cornelia Ostermayr
- Holger Wolfschmidt
- Petra Bele
- Sauradip Malkhandi
- Tine Bruelle
- Ulrich Stimming
Organizations
- Technical University of Munich