Electrochemical and surface science research on fuel cells
Abstract
The development of advanced acid electrolyte fuel cells for power generation and transportation application is investigated. The ions CF3SO3(-) and H2PO4(-) have similar adsorption characteristics on mercury from dilute aqueous electrolytes ( 1 M). Transport properties in phosphoric acid show strong temperature and concentration dependences. Solvent clusters account for transport of 6 to 9 moles of water per mole of proton through Nafion membranes. Exchange current densities for oxygen reduction on platinum are dependent on anion adsorption from the electrolyte. The nuclear microprobe technique reveal: (1) the three-dimensional distribution of platinum in a fuel cell electrode, and (2) the loss of vanadium from a Pt-V electrocatalyst during fuel cell operation. The ellipsometric method was developed to measure anion adsorption on platinum. Single cells were assembled and tested for the proposed simulated drive-cycle-performance evaluations. An energy balance was made for a 20 kW phosphoric acid fuel cell power plant for a GM X-car.
- Publication:
-
Progress Report
- Pub Date:
- June 1984
- Bibcode:
- 1984lasl.reptR....S
- Keywords:
-
- Electrochemistry;
- Electrolytes;
- Fuel Cells;
- Transport Properties;
- Adsorption;
- Automobiles;
- Current Density;
- Fuel Cell Power Plants;
- Interfaces;
- Phosphoric Acid;
- Reduction (Chemistry);
- Vanadium;
- Electronics and Electrical Engineering