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Recent Advances of Electrocatalysis in Fuel Cells

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A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Electrocatalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 June 2022) | Viewed by 23702

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Kotaro Sasaki

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Guest Editor

Chemistry Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, USA
Interests: electrocatalysis; fuel cells; direct energy conversion; nanotechnology; nanomaterial characterization by in situ XAS; surface modifications by electrochemical methods

Dr. Rajangam Vinodh

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Guest Editor

Department of Chemical Engineering Hanseo University, Seosan-Si 356-706 Republic of Korea
Interests: Electrochemistry, nanocomposites, photovoltaics, energy storage
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fuel cells are widely considered as a potentially highly-efficient and clean energy systems. Regardless of the considerable advances in recent years, technical and economic barriers still exist in developing electrocatalysts, which play an essential role in fuel cell operations. The slow kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) cathodes, even on the best Pt catalysts, causes a significant loss in cell voltage, thereby lowering the efficiency of energy conversion in the system. As a result, high Pt loading is required in cathode electrocatalysts. Durability is also critical for fuel-cell cathodes because of the very harsh conditions under which they operate, viz., low pH, dissolved molecular oxygen, and high positive potentials. On the other hand, liquid fuels, especially methanol and ethanol, are considered as potential alternatives to hydrogen fuel in PEMFCs due to their high-energy density and the ease of their storage and transportation. However, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning also takes place during the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). The tardiness of MOR at the anode is more prominent than that of ORR at the cathode, adversely affecting the performance of direct methanol oxidation fuel cells (DMFCs). Ethanol is a non-toxic renewable energy source that can be be produced from agricultural products; however, the commercialization of direct ethanol oxidation fuel cells (DEFCs) is considered more difficult than that of DMFCs, because the kinetics of ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) are slower than those of MOR, even for the best available catalysts. Further development of more-efficient electrocatalysts for both cathodes and anodes is therefore necessary. This Special Issue aims to cover the most recent advances in fuel cell electrocatalysts to alleviate the current situations/drawbacks and to provide a better understanding in the development of high-performing fuel cells.

Dr. Kotaro Sasaki
Dr. Rajangam Vinodh
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

Proton/anion exchange membrane fuel cells
Direct alcohol fuel cells
Low Pt-group-metal (PGM) electrocatalysts
Non-PGM electrocatalysts
Oxygen reduction reaction
Methanol oxidation reaction
Ethanol oxidation reaction
Hydrogen oxidation reaction
Core-shell structures
Density function theory

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 7128 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Synthesis of N/S-Doped Porous Carbon from Waste-Biomass as Electroactive Material for Energy Harvesting

by Suguna Perumal, Somasundaram Chandra Kishore, Raji Atchudan, Ashok K. Sundramoorthy, Muthulakshmi Alagan and Yong Rok Lee

Catalysts 2022, 12(4), 436; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12040436 - 13 Apr 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2269

Abstract

It is absolutely essential to convert biomass waste into usable energy in a rational manner. This investigation proposes the economical synthesis of heteroatom (N and S)-doped carbon (ATC) from Aesculus turbinata seed as a natural precursor by carbonization at 800 °C. The final product obtained was characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, high-resolution transmittance electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in order to investigate its structural property and chemical composition. The porous carbon achieved by this method contained oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur from Aesculus turbinata seed and had pores rich in micropores and mesopores. Crystalline ATC obtained with a high surface area (560 m² g⁻¹) and pore size (3.8 nm) were exploited as electrode material for the supercapacitor. The electrochemical studies revealed a specific capacitance of 142 F g⁻¹ at a current density of 0.5 A g⁻¹ using 1 M H₂SO₄ as an electrolyte. ATC had exceptional cycling stability, and the capacitance retention was 95% even after 10,000 charge-discharge cycles. The findings show that ATC derived from biomass proved to be a potential energy storage material by converting waste biomass into a high-value-added item, a supercapacitor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances of Electrocatalysis in Fuel Cells)

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16 pages, 7877 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Fabrication of High-Performance Asymmetric Supercapacitor Consists of Nickel Oxide and Activated Carbon (NiO//AC)

by Rajangam Vinodh, Rajendran Suresh Babu, Raji Atchudan, Hee-Je Kim, Moonsuk Yi, Leandro Marques Samyn and Ana Lucia Ferreira de Barros

Catalysts 2022, 12(4), 375; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12040375 - 27 Mar 2022

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 3814

Abstract

Exploring faster, safer, and more efficient energy storage devices will motivate scientists to develop novel energy storage products with high performance. Herein, we report porous NiO nanoparticles have been prepared by a simple hydrothermal method with CTAB and laboratory tissue paper as a template followed by calcination at three different temperatures (300, 500, and 700 °C). The electrochemical characteristics of the prepared materials were examined in a three-electrode cell configuration using aqueous potassium hydroxide (2.0 M KOH) electrolyte. The NiO-300 electrode displayed the supreme capacitance of 568.7 F g⁻¹ at 0.5 A g⁻¹. The fascinating NiO morphology demonstrates a crucial part in offering simple ion transport, shortening electron, and ion passage channels and rich energetic spots for electrochemical reactions. Finally, the asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC), NiO//AC was constructed using positive and negative electrode materials of NiO-300 and activated carbon (AC), respectively. The assembled ASC displayed excellent supercapacitive performance with a high specific energy (52.4 Wh kg⁻¹), specific power (800 W kg⁻¹), and remarkable cycle life. After quick charging (25 s), such supercapacitors in the series will illuminate the light emitting diode for an extended time, suggesting improvements in energy storage, scalable integrated applications, and ensuring business efficacy. This work will lead to a new generation of high-performance ASCs to portable electronic displays and electric automobiles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances of Electrocatalysis in Fuel Cells)

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17 pages, 3041 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of Earth-Abundant Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts for the Cathode of Passive Air-Breathing Direct Formate Fuel Cells

by Francisca E. R. Oliveira, Nelson A. Galiote and Fabio H. B. Lima

Catalysts 2018, 8(8), 320; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal8080320 - 06 Aug 2018

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4005

Abstract

The development of direct formate fuel cells encounters important obstacles related to the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and low tolerance to formate ions in Pt-based cathodes. In this study, electrocatalysts formed by earth-abundant elements were synthesized, and their activity and selectivity for the ORR were tested in alkaline electrolyte. The results showed that carbon-encapsulated iron-cobalt alloy nanoparticles and carbon-supported metal nitrides, characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), do not present significant activity for the ORR, showing the same half-wave potential of Vulcan carbon. Contrarily, nitrogen-doped carbon, synthesized using imidazole as the nitrogen source, showed an increase in the half-wave potential, evidencing an influential role of nitrogen in the ORR electrocatalysis. The synthesis with the combination of Vulcan, imidazole, and iron or cobalt precursors resulted in the formation of nitrogen-coordinated iron (or cobalt) moieties, inserted in a carbon matrix, as revealed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Steady-state polarization curves for the ORR evidenced a synergistic effect between Fe and Co when these two metals were included in the synthesis (FeCo-N-C material), showing higher activity and higher limiting current density than the materials prepared only with Fe or Co. The FeCo-N-C material presented not only the highest activity for the ORR (approaching that of the state-of-the-art Pt/C) but also high tolerance to the presence of formate ions in the electrolyte. In addition, measurements with FeCo-N-C in the cathode of an passive air-breathing direct formate fuel cells, (natural diffusion of formate), showed peak power densities of 15.5 and 10.5 mW cm⁻² using hydroxide and carbonate-based electrolytes, respectively, and high stability over 120 h of operation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances of Electrocatalysis in Fuel Cells)

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1483 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Anodes of Microbial Fuel Cells When Carbon Brushes Are Preheated at Different Temperatures

by Qiao Yang, Shengna Liang, Jia Liu, Jiangwei Lv and Yujie Feng

Catalysts 2017, 7(11), 312; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal7110312 - 25 Oct 2017

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4479

Abstract

The anode electrode is one of the most important components in all microbial electrochemical technologies (METs). Anode materials pretreatment and modification have been shown to be an effective method of improving anode performance. According to mass loss analysis during carbon fiber heating, five temperatures (300, 450, 500, 600, and 750 °C) were selected as the pre-heating temperatures of carbon fiber brush anodes. Microbial fuel cell (MFC) reactors built up with these pre-heated carbon brush anodes performed with different power densities and Coulombic efficiencies (CEs). Two kinds of measuring methods for power density were applied, and the numerical values of maximum power densities diverged greatly. Reactors with 450 °C anodes, using both methods, had the highest power densities, and the highest CEs were found using 500 °C anode reactors. The surface elements of heat-treated carbon fibers were analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), and C, O, and N were the main constituents of the carbon fiber. There were four forms of N1s at the surface of the polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fiber, and their concentrations were different at different temperature samples. The microbial community of the anode surface was analyzed, and microbial species on anodes from every sample were similar. The differences in anode performance may be caused by mass loss and by the surface elements. For carbon brush anodes used in MFCs or other BESs, 450–500 °C preheating was the most suitable temperature range in terms of the power densities and CEs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances of Electrocatalysis in Fuel Cells)

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Review

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28 pages, 4173 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Critical Review on Artificial Intelligence for Fuel Cell Diagnosis

by Somasundaram Chandra Kishore, Suguna Perumal, Raji Atchudan, Muthulakshmi Alagan, Ashok K. Sundramoorthy and Yong Rok Lee

Catalysts 2022, 12(7), 743; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12070743 - 05 Jul 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3302

Abstract

In recent years, fuel cell (FC) technology has seen a promising increase in its proportion in stationary power production. Several pilot projects are in operation across the world, with the number of running hours steadily rising, either as stand-alone units or as part of integrated gas turbine–electric energy plants. FCs are a potential energy source with great efficiency and zero emissions. To ensure the best performance, they normally function within a confined temperature and humidity range; nevertheless, this makes the system difficult to regulate, resulting in defects and hastened deterioration. For diagnosis, there are two primary approaches: restricted input information, which gives an unobtrusive, rapid yet restricted examination, and advanced characterization, which provides a more accurate diagnosis but frequently necessitates invasive or delayed tests. Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms have shown considerable promise in providing accurate diagnoses with quick data collecting. This work focuses on software models that allow the user to evaluate many different possibilities in the shortest amount of time and is a vital method for proper and dynamic analysis of such entities. The artificial neural network, genetic algorithm, particle swarm optimization, random forest, support vector machine, and extreme learning machine are common AI approaches discussed in this review. This article examines the modern practice and provides recommendations for future machine learning methodologies in fuel cell diagnostic applications. In this study, these six AI tools are specifically explained with results for a better understanding of the fuel cell diagnosis. The conclusion suggests that these approaches are not only a popular and beneficial tool for simulating the nature of an FC system, but they are also appropriate for optimizing the operational parameters necessary for an ideal FC device. Finally, observations and ideas for future research, enhancements, and investigations are offered. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances of Electrocatalysis in Fuel Cells)

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14 pages, 8190 KiB

Open AccessReview

Morphology-Controlled Nitrogen-Containing Polymers as Synthetic Precursors for Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction Fe/N/C Cathode Catalysts

by Yuta Nabae

Catalysts 2018, 8(8), 324; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal8080324 - 08 Aug 2018

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4472

Abstract

Nitrogen-containing aromatic polymers such as polyimide are known for their high thermal stability. While they have been widely used in industry, their relevance to catalysis is still quite limited. In recent years, nitrogen-containing polymers have been explored as precursors of nitrogen-doped carbonaceous materials, which are particularly attractive as non-precious metal catalysts for oxygen reduction in fuel cells. The high thermal stability of nitrogen-containing polymers contributes to an effective control over the morphology of the resulting carbonaceous catalysts. This review article provides an overview of the recent progress on the research and development of Fe/N/C oxygen reduction catalysts prepared from morphology-controlled nitrogen-containing polymers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances of Electrocatalysis in Fuel Cells)

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