Fuel cell performance and durability investigation of bimetallic radical scavengers in Aquivion® perfluorosulfonic acid membranes. (16th November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: D'Urso, C.; Oldani, C.; Baglio, V.; Merlo, L.; Aricò, A.S.
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 42:Number 46(2017)
• Page Start: 27987
• Page End: 27994
• Publication Date: 2017-11-16
• Subjects: Polymer electrolyte membrane -- Composite membrane -- Bimetallic radical scavenger -- Durability -- Aquivion® PFSA; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.07.111
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: In this paper, we present a straightforward synthesis of bimetallic radical scavengers supported onto silica and an evaluation of their effectiveness to increasing the lifetime of Aquivion ® PFSA membranes. Such scavengers comprise cerium (Ce) and chromium (Cr) and were incorporated in e-PTFE reinforced thin membranes through suspension in water-based Aquivion ® PFSA dispersion. The bimetallic samples were physico-chemically characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyses and compared to the monometallic Ce and Cr scavengers prepared in the same way. The membranes containing the mono- or bi-metallic scavengers were electrochemically investigated in terms of polarization behavior, cell resistance and durability. The MEA based on monometallic Ce-based scavenger showed the largest durability (7-time more than a reference MEA). The bimetallic scavenger appears also very promising. However, a proper optimization of the composition is required for its application in highly durable composite Aquivion ® membrane. Highlights: Bimetallic (Ce and Cr) radical scavengers supported onto silica were synthesized. The bimetallic scavenger was loaded in ePTFE reinforced Aquivion ® PFSA membranes. The composite membrane showed a higher stability than a scavenger-free membrane.