Durability evaluation of a Fe–N–C catalyst in polymer electrolyte fuel cell environment via accelerated stress tests. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Osmieri, Luigi; Cullen, David A.; Chung, Hoon T.; Ahluwalia, Rajesh K.; Neyerlin, K.C.
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 78(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: PGM-Free catalyst -- Durability -- Accelerated stress test -- Kinetic overpotential -- Active sites loss; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2020.105209
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: An "atomically-dispersed" iron-nitrogen-carbon (Fe–N–C) catalyst was used to provide a systematic comparison of platinum group metal (PGM)-free electrocatalyst degradation as a function of accelerated stress tests (ASTs) in an acidic polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC). It was determined that the majority of catalyst degradation was caused by cell operation in presence of O2 . In contrast, potential cycling of the Fe–N–C-containing cathode under inert atmosphere over typical PEFC cathode operation from 0.95 to 0.6 V had little to no effect. The increase in kinetic overpotential is shown to be the major source of the PEFC performance decrease during the ASTs. These results continue to showcase the need for development of robust PGM-free electrocatalysts in concert with improved electrochemical performance. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: PGM-free catalyst durability assessed using different accelerated stress tests (ASTs). AST in inert atmosphere (N2 ) causes little degradation. AST in inert atmosphere + H2 /air polarization curves causes higher degradation. AST in presence of O2 (air) causes even higher degradation. Performance loss is attributed mainly to increase of kinetic overpotential.