Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Commons^™

Development Of Novel Nano-Structured Materials With Low-Cost And High Stability For Pem Fuel Cell, Dongsheng Geng

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are non-polluting and efficient energy conversion devices that are expected to play a dominant role in energy solutions of the future. However, due to high cost and known degradation issue of Pt electrocatalyst, more durable, efficient, and inexpensive electrocatalysts are required before fuel cells can become commercially viable. This research is revolving around the development of electrocatalysts such as non-noble metal oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst, new alternative supports, and novel Pt nanostructures to address the above-mentioned challenges in PEMFCs.

Firstly, we report the synthesis of nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes (CN_x) and …

Development Of Novel Nanomaterials For High-Performance And Low-Cost Fuel Cell Applications, Shuhui Sun

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are promising energy converting technologies to generate electricity by mainly using hydrogen as a fuel, producing water as the only exhaust. However, short life-time and high cost of Pt catalyst are the main obstacles for the commercialization of PEMFCs. In the conventional carbon black supported platinum nanoparticle (NP) commercial catalyst, carbon supports are prone to oxidation and corrosion over time that results in Pt NPs migration, coalescence, even detaching from the catalyst support. In addition, Ostwald ripening of the Pt NPs could also occur due to their high surface energy and zero dimensional structural …