Proton exchange membrane with plasmon-active surface for enhancement of fuel cell effectivity. Issue 22 (29th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Elashnikov, R.; Zahorjanova, K.; Miliutina, E.; Kolska, Z.; Cieslar, M.; Svorcik, V.; Lyutakov, O.
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 12:Issue 22(2020)
• Page Start: 12068
• Page End: 12075
• Publication Date: 2020-05-29
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/d0nr00295j
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : The design and implementation of an advanced active fuel cell on the basis of plasmon-assisted chemical redox transformations is proposed. Abstract : The action of fuel cells with proton-exchanged membranes (PEMs) requires the implementation of the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) and the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on the opposite sides of the PEMs. Recently, based on several models of electrochemical reactions a significant decrease in the thermodynamic activation barrier of both reactions under plasmon assistance was reported. In this work, we propose the design of a PEM fuel cell with a plasmon-active catalytic surface providing plasmonic triggering and enhancement of fuel cell efficiency. In particular, we deposited bimetallic (Au@Pt) nanostructures on the PEM surface and integrated them into the fuel cell design. Plasmon excitation occurs on the Au nanostructures under light illumination at the corresponding NIR wavelength, while the Pt shell is responsible for the introduction of catalytic sites. Light illumination results in a significant enhancement of the electric current produced by the fuel cell. In particular, the electric current increased several times. Control experiments indicated that the observed enhancement takes place only when the light wavelength is in compliance with the plasmon absorption band and the contribution from thermal effects is negligible. The present approach for the introduction of plasmon assistance into the design of advanced fuel cells makes them suitable for increasing the fuel cell efficiency under sunlight.