Investigation of the saving potential of noble catalyst material in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

  • The energy transition towards renewable energies for the overall energy supply (electricity, heat, mobility, etc.) is already well advanced and the further expansion is planned. The volatility of renewable energies is being addressed by the hydrogen technology. However, there is still a need for optimization of the cost-efficient reconversion of stored energy in the form of hydrogen, e.g. in applications for decarbonization of the power grid or of the mobility sector. For instance, the cost of an automotive low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) must be lowered by reducing the platinum loading and the lifetime must be further improved to achieve the competitiveness of this technology. The aim of the present thesis was to develop membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) with ultra-low platinum loading, high performance and increased lifetime for the use in PEMFCs. They are fabricated by an innovative MEA preparation process based on the pulse electrodeposition of platinum (Pt) using carbon nanofibers (CNFs) as a catalyst support with enhanced resistance to carbon oxidation reaction. The design of the MEA preparation process and the development of ultra-low Pt-loaded anodes and cathodes was the starting point of this thesis. It was found that the Pt/CNF catalyst used on the anode side had better characteristics than a commercial Pt/C catalyst, since the same power output of 0.525 W cm-2 was obtained with 10 .....

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Metadaten
Author:Pit Yannick Podleschny
Referee:Martin Muhler
Advisor:Michael Brodmann
Document Type:Doctoral Thesis
Language:English
Date of Publication (online):2021/02/28
Date of first Publication:2021/02/28
Publishing Institution:Westfälische Hochschule Gelsenkirchen Bocholt Recklinghausen
Granting Institution:Ruhr-Universität Bochum
Date of final exam:2021/02/28
Release Date:2024/10/07
Tag:fuel cells; polymer electrolyte membrane
Pagenumber:181
Departments / faculties:Institute / Westfälisches Energieinstitut
Licence (German):License LogoEs gilt das Urheberrechtsgesetz

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