Addressing LT-PEFC 15 cell stack durability using carbon semi-coated titania nanorods-Pt electrocatalyst. (15th January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dhanasekaran, P.; Saravanan, B.; Vinod Selvaganesh, S.; Bhat, Santoshkumar D.
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 44:Number 3(2019)
• Page Start: 1940
• Page End: 1952
• Publication Date: 2019-01-15
• Subjects: Electrocatalyst -- ORR activity -- Carbon semi-coated titania -- Cell design -- Durability -- LT-PEFC stack; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.11.097
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Optimum amount of carbon semi-coated on titania nanorods-Pt (Pt/CCT) electrocatalyst increases the cell performance and long term durability in low-temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells (LT-PEFC). Semi-coated carbon on titania nanorods support (CCT) is synthesised hydrothermally followed by Pt deposited using polyol method. A thin metal loading of 150 μg cm −2 with an active area of 50 cm 2 exhibits a high current of 49 ± 0.5 A at 0.6 V for 100 h without back pressure in H2 :O2 configuration. In the present study, 5 and 15 cell LT-PEFC stacks and their engineering aspects towards development of indigenous cell fixture and assembly are explored in detail. The 5 cell stack durability at 5 A for 125 h shows a minimal voltage loss of 4 μV h −1 . In addition, 15 cell air cooled prototype indigenous fuel cell fixture is fabricated and demonstrated with electrical power of 310 W at 9 V. In a single cell, Pt/CCT retains 85% of initial current at 0.6 V during start-stop cycles (100 h) in H2 :air configuration as compared to Pt/C. Highlights: Carbon is semi-coated on titania nanorods to act as catalyst support. Pt nanoparticles deposited on CCT by polyol method. Pt/CCT electrocatalyst is subjected at the cathode in LT-PEFC. LT-PEFC stack designed and fabricated using indigenous catalyst. LT-PEFC 15 cell stack durability is addressed.