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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Modification And Evaluation Of Fuel Cell Membranes, Amol Prataprao Nalawade May 2011

Modification And Evaluation Of Fuel Cell Membranes, Amol Prataprao Nalawade

Dissertations

The primary goals of this study were modification of existing Nafion® membranes and characterization of newly developed hydrocarbon-based membranes for high temperature fuel cell applications. Various Nafion®/silicate nanocomposites were formulated via in situ sol-gel reactions for tetraethylorthosilicate. Different silicate composition profiles generated across membrane cross-sections were investigated by EDAX/ESEM. Composite water uptake, proton conductivity and fuel cell performance were comparable to that of unmodified Nafion®. Tafel analysis showed better electrode kinetics for composites having more silicate in the middle and less or no silicate at electrolyte-electrode interfaces. All composites showed reduced fuel cross-over and superior …


Investigation Of Nanoceria-Modified Platinum-Gold Composite Electrodes For The Electrochemical Reduction Of Oxygen In Alkaline Media, Rahul Hegishte Jan 2011

Investigation Of Nanoceria-Modified Platinum-Gold Composite Electrodes For The Electrochemical Reduction Of Oxygen In Alkaline Media, Rahul Hegishte

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Platinum-gold and nanoceria-modified platinum-gold electrodes were prepared on a platinum surface via electrochemical reduction of solutions of platinum and gold salts in the dispersion of nanoceria. The molar ratios of Pt and Au were varied in both PtAu and PtAu/CeO₂ electrodes while the total concentration of the metals was maintained at 2 x 10⁻³M and the concentration of nanoceria was maintained constant at 5 x 10⁻³M. The electrodes were characterized by their cyclic voltammetry curves in 0.5M sulfuric acid solution. The electrochemically active area of the electrodes was determined using the copper underpotential deposition method. The linear sweep voltammograms of …