Tungsten Oxide and Heteropoly Acid-Based Systems for the Catalysts in PEM Fuel Cell Cathodes
There is an experiment done by the scientists. The objective is to improve electrocatalyst and membrane electrode assembly (MEA) durability and activity through the use of Pt/ tungsten oxide and Pt/HPA-C (heteropoly acid) modifications to approach automotive proton exchange membrane PEM fuel cell cathodes activity targets (0.44 mA/mg Pt) and durability targets (5,000 h/10 y). Our target is to synthesize alternative supports such as tungsten oxide and HPA-functionalized carbon blacks and to evaluate them for improved corrosion resistance while maintaining or improving activity in comparison to conventional Pt/C supports. Studies are first being conducted in rotating disk electrode (RDE) setups due to the small quantity of materials synthesized and will be followed by testing in fuel cells. The mass activity of ALD-deposited Pt/ tungsten oxide improved to ~175 mA/mg when measured in RDE halfcells. This activity is a significant improvement but falls short of the activity of...