PEM Fuel Cell Electrocatalysts and Catalyst Layers: Fundamentals and Applications

Xiao-Zi Yuan, Haijiang Wang (auth.), Jiujun Zhang (eds.)978-1-84800-935-6, 978-1-84800-936-3

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, including H2/O2 (air) and methanol/O2 (air) fuel cells, are promising clean energy converting devices with high efficiency and low to zero emissions. Such power sources can be used in transportation, stationary, portable, and micro power applications. The key components of these fuel cells are catalysts and catalyst layers.

PEM Fuel Cell Electrocatalysts and Catalyst Layers covers all of the fundamental aspects and applications of this field. The opening chapters introduce the essential topics on electrochemical theory and fuel cell catalysis, including: electrode thermodynamics, kinetics, and mass transfer; electrode/electrolyte interface electrocatalysis; electrocatalytic reactions, including O2 reduction and H2/CH3OH oxidations; quantum chemistry simulations of catalyst activity; catalyst contamination; spectroscopic methods for catalysis research; porous gas electrode theory; and catalyst layers and modeling. Later chapters investigate the synthesis, characterization, and activity validation of PEM fuel cell catalysts. All fuel cell related catalysts are reviewed, including noble and non-noble catalysts and their preparation/performance. Further chapters describe in detail the integration of the electrocatalyst/catalyst layers into the fuel cell, and their performance validation, including: catalyst layer structure function and optimization, catalyst degradation and diagnosis, and strategies to mitigate the failure modes.

PEM Fuel Cell Electrocatalysts and Catalyst Layers provides a comprehensive, in-depth survey of PEM fuel cell electrocatalysts and catalyst layers, presented by internationally renowned fuel cell scientists. Researchers and engineers in the fuel cell industry will find this book a valuable resource, as will students of electrochemical engineering and catalyst synthesis.

Table of contents :
Front Matter….Pages i-xxi
PEM Fuel Cell Fundamentals….Pages 1-87
Electrocatalytic Oxygen Reduction Reaction….Pages 89-134
Electrocatalytic H 2 Oxidation Reaction….Pages 135-164
Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Methanol, Ethanol and Formic Acid….Pages 165-287
Application of First Principles Methods in the Study of Fuel Cell Air-Cathode Electrocatalysis….Pages 289-329
Catalyst Contamination in PEM Fuel Cells….Pages 331-354
PEM Fuel Cell Catalyst Layers and MEAs….Pages 355-380
Catalyst Layer Modeling: Structure, Properties and Performance….Pages 381-446
Catalyst Synthesis Techniques….Pages 447-485
Physical Characterization of Electrocatalysts….Pages 487-546
Electrochemical Methods for Catalyst Activity Evaluation….Pages 547-607
Combinatorial Methods for PEM Fuel Cell Electrocatalysts….Pages 609-630
Platinum-based Alloy Catalysts for PEM Fuel Cells….Pages 631-654
Nanotubes, Nanofibers and Nanowires as Supports for Catalysts….Pages 655-714
Non-noble Electrocatalysts for the PEM Fuel Cell Oxygen Reduction Reaction….Pages 715-757
CO-tolerant Catalysts….Pages 759-834
Reversal-tolerant Catalyst Layers….Pages 835-860
High-temperature PEM Fuel Cell Catalysts and Catalyst Layers….Pages 861-888
Conventional Catalyst Ink, Catalyst Layer and MEA Preparation….Pages 889-916
Spray-based and CVD Processes for Synthesis of Fuel Cell Catalysts and Thin Catalyst Layers….Pages 917-963
Catalyst Layer/MEA Performance Evaluation….Pages 965-1002
Catalyst Layer Composition Optimization….Pages 1003-1040
Catalyst Layer Degradation, Diagnosis and Failure Mitigation….Pages 1041-1094
Back Matter….Pages 1095-1137