Citation: Cui Lirui, Zhang Jin, Sun Yiyan, Lu Shanfu, Xiang Yan. Effect of Addition of Carbon Nanotubes on the Performance of a Low Pt Loading Membrane-Electrode-Assembly in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells[J]. Acta Chimica Sinica, ;2019, 77(1): 47-53. doi: 10.6023/A18080344 shu

Effect of Addition of Carbon Nanotubes on the Performance of a Low Pt Loading Membrane-Electrode-Assembly in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Beijing Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Energy Materials and Devices, School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing 100191

Corresponding author: Lu Shanfu, lusf@buaa.edu.cn Xiang Yan, xiangy@buaa.edu.cn
Received Date: 21 August 2018
Available Online: 30 January 2018
Fund Project: the Key Research and Development Program of Beijing Z171100000917011the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities 21576007the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities 21722601Project supported by the Key Research and Development Program of Beijing (No. Z171100000917011), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 21722601, 21576007) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

Figures(6)

The cell performance and Pt utilization of low-Pt proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have been significantly improved through incorporating carbon materials into the conventional Pt/C catalytic layer of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA). However, the introduction methods for the carbon materials have not been investigated. In this work, carbon nanotube (CNT) as an additive was added to the low-Pt loading catalytic layer (0.1 mg_Pt·cm^-2) by two methods:a separated CNT layer deposited on the top of the conventional Pt/C layer (CCM-1) and a mixture layer by blending CNT and Pt/C catalyst (CCM-2). The conventional low-Pt loading catalytic layer was employed as control group (CCM-0). The microstructure of the catalytic layers was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and nitrogen sorption isotherms method. The electrochemical properties of the catalytic layer and membrane electrode were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance (EIS) and linear scanning voltammetry. The results indicated that the cell performance of the conventional low-Pt loading catalyst coated membrane was improved by the introduction of CNTs in both CCM-1 and CCM-2. Compared to the conventional CCM (CCM-0) with a peak power density of 0.522 W·cm^-2 at 70℃ and 100% relative humidity (RH) without backpressure, the maximum power densities of CCM-1 and CCM-2 have been improved by 22.4% and 60.0% under the same test conditions, respectively. The increased performance of CCM-1 is believed to result from the enhancement of contact interface between the catalytic layer and the gas diffusion layer in CCM-1 and consequent decrease of the contact resistance. Furthermore, the outstanding power density of CCM-2 is not only owing to the decreased interface contact resistance between the CCM and the gas diffusion layer, but also due to the significant improvement of gas transmission in the catalytic layer, which leads to the decrease of electrochemical reactant resistance and then improvement of the Pt utilization. That has been confirmed by the Pt utilization of 34.4%, 35.6% and 44.7% for CCM-0, CCM-1 and CCM-2. In addition, it also was confirmed by the extremely low power output (2.9 mW·cm^-2) of a CCM with only CNT in the catalytic layer when the fuel cell was tested at 70℃ and 100% RH without back pressure. In addition, the optimum loading of CNT in the mixed catalytic layer is 37.5 μg·cm^-2 with the peak power density of 0.91 W·cm^-2. This work shows that mixing of CNT and Pt/C catalyst into a catalytic layer is an effective method for improving the Pt utilization and reducing the loading of Pt catalyst.
- proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs),
- catalytic layer,
- carbon nanotube,
- low-Pt loading,
- membrane electrode assembly
1. [1]
  Chu, S.; Majumdar, A. Nature 2012, 488, 294. doi: 10.1038/nature11475
2. [2]
  Wang, J.; Wang, H.; Fan, Y. Engineering 2018, 4, 352. doi: 10.1016/j.eng.2018.05.007
3. [3]
  Li, H.; Li, L.; Chen, S.; Zhang, Y.; Li, G. Chin. J. Chem. 2017, 35, 903. doi: 10.1002/cjoc.v35.6
4. [4]
  He, X.; Gang, M.; He, G.; Yin, Y.; Cao, L.; Wu, H.; Jiang, Z. Chin. J. Chem. 2017, 35, 673 doi: 10.1002/cjoc.v35.5
5. [5]
  Hou, I.; Shetti, V.; Huang, S.; Liu, K.; Chao, C.; Lin, S.; Lin, Y.; Chen, L; Luh, T. Org. Chem. Front. 2017, 4, 773. doi: 10.1039/C7QO00087A
6. [6]
  Proietti, E.; Jaouen, F.; Lefevre, M.; Larouche, N.; Tian, J.; Herranz, J.; Dodelet, P. Nat. Commun. 2011, 2, 416. doi: 10.1038/ncomms1427
7. [7]
  Lee, H.; Park, J.; Kim, D.; Lee, T. J. Power Sources 2004, 131, 200. doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2003.12.039
8. [8]
  Peng, S.; Xu. X.; Zhang, J.; Liu, Y.; Lu, S.; Xiang, Y. Acta Chim. Sinica 2015, 73, 137. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB201411171
9. [9]
  Shin, S.; Kim, A.; Um, S. Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 2016, 41, 9507. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.04.013
10. [10]
  Huang, T.; Shen, H.; Jao, T.; Weng, F.; Su, A. Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 2012, 37, 13872. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2012.04.108
11. [11]
  Zhu, C.; Hai, Y.; Zhao, Z.; Yang, Y. Acta Chim. Sinica 2018, 76, 30.
12. [12]
  Zhong, G.; Wang, H.; Yu, H.; Peng, F. Acta Chim. Sinica 2017, 75, 943.
13. [13]
  Wu, Y.; Liao, S. Chin. J. Power Source 2012, 36, 1755. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1002-087X.2012.11.049
14. [14]
  Chen, X.; Yan, H.; Xia, D. Acta Chim. Sinica 2017, 75, 189. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-2409.2017.02.008
15. [15]
  Yuan, P.; Chen, J.; Pan, D.; Bao, X. Acta Chim. Sinica 2016, 74, 603.
16. [16]
  Chen, G.; Zhao, B.; Wang, C.; Jing, P.; Xiao, Y.; Niu, M.; Zhao, P. Chem. Bull. 2016, 79, 9.
17. [17]
  Li, L.; Jiang, D.; Zeng, R.; Wang, S.; Jiang, L. Rare Metals 2017, 41, 648.
18. [18]
  Ishikawa, H.; Sugawara, Y.; Inoue, G.; Kawase, M. J. Power Sources 2018, 374, 196. doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.11.026
19. [19]
  Shin, S.; Kim, A.; Um, S. Electrochim. Acta 2016, 207, 187. doi: 10.1016/j.electacta.2016.04.178
20. [20]
  Cho, J.; Kim, J.; Prabhuram, J.; Hwang, S.; Ahn, D.; Ha, H.; Kim, S. J. Power Sources 2009, 187, 378. doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2008.10.111
21. [21]
  Pollet, B. G.; Goh, J. T. E. Electrochim. Acta 2014, 128, 292. doi: 10.1016/j.electacta.2013.09.160
22. [22]
  Tian, Z.; Lim, S.; Poh, C.; Tang, Z.; Xia, Z.; Luo, Z.; Shen, P.; Chua, D.; Feng, Y.; Shen, Z.; Lin, J. Adv. Energy Mater. 2011, 1, 1205. doi: 10.1002/aenm.201100371
23. [23]
  Hou, S.; Chi, B.; Liu, G.; Ren, J.; Song, H.; Liao, S. Electrochim. Acta 2017, 253, 142. doi: 10.1016/j.electacta.2017.08.160
24. [24]
  Suzuki, T.; Hashizume, R.; Hayase, M. J. Power Sources 2015, 286, 109. doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2015.03.119
25. [25]
  Ji, M.; Wei, Z. Energies 2009, 2, 1057. doi: 10.3390/en20401057
26. [26]
  Zenyuk, I.; Das, P.; Weber, A. J. Electrochem. Soc. 2016, 163, F691. doi: 10.1149/2.1161607jes
27. [27]
  Lee, M.; Uchida, M.; Tryk, D.; Uchida, H.; Watanabe, M. Electrochim. Acta 2011, 56, 4783. doi: 10.1016/j.electacta.2011.03.072
28. [28]
  Koh, J.; Jeon, Y.; Cho, Y.; Kim, J.; Shul, Y. J. Mater. Chem. A2014, 2, 8652. doi: 10.1039/C4TA00674G
29. [29]
  Park, Y.; Tokiwa, H.; Kakinuma, K.; Watanabe, M.; Uchida, M. J. Power Sources 2016, 315, 179. doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2016.02.091
30. [30]
  Uchida, M.; Park, Y.; Kakinuma, K.; Yano, H.; Tryk, D.; Kamino, T.; Uchida, H.; Watanabe, M. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2013, 15, 11236. doi: 10.1039/c3cp51801a
31. [31]
  Oh, E.; Hempelmann, R.; Nica, V.; Radev, I.; Natter, H. J. Power Sources 2017, 341, 240. doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2016.11.116
32. [32]
  Xu, X.; Peng, S.; Zhang, J.; Lu, S.; Xiang, Y. Acta Chim. Sinica 2016, 74, 271.
33. [33]
  Jeon, Y.; Kim, D.; Koh, J.; Ji, Y.; Kim, J.; Shul, Y. Sci. Rep. 2015, 5, 16394. doi: 10.1038/srep16394
1. [1]
  Haihua Yang , Minjie Zhou , Binhong He , Wenyuan Xu , Bing Chen , Enxiang Liang . Synthesis and Electrocatalytic Performance of Iron Phosphide@Carbon Nanotubes as Cathode Material for Zinc-Air Battery: a Comprehensive Undergraduate Chemical Experiment. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(10): 426-432. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202405100
2. [2]
  Bin Liu . Teaching case design of chemistry “101 Plan” syntheticchemistry experiment course: taking the experiment of preparation of platinum nanocatalyst supported on carbon and determination of its electrochemical catalytic performance of methanol oxidation as an example. University Chemistry, 2026, 41(6): 125-135. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202506043
3. [3]
  Hailang JIA , Hongcheng LI , Pengcheng JI , Yang TENG , Mingyun GUAN . Preparation and performance of N-doped carbon nanotubes composite Co₃O₄ as oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalysts. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2024, 40(4): 693-700. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20230402
4. [4]
  Bowen Yang , Rui Wang , Benjian Xin , Lili Liu , Zhiqiang Niu . C-SnO₂/MWCNTs Composite with Stable Conductive Network for Lithium-based Semi-Solid Flow Batteries. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2025, 41(2): 100015-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202310024
5. [5]
  Jie Fu , Linghan Bai , Liqiu Chu , Hanyu Zou , Long Qin , Shuxin Jia , Meile Ni , Zhifan Hao , Mengxiao Sun , Fan Wu . Biomimetic "fibrous root systems" in phase-change composites for photothermal conversion and energy storage. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2026, 42(10): 100333-0. doi: 10.1016/j.actphy.2026.100333
6. [6]
  Han WANG , Baihui CHEN , Chunlai WANG , Zhitao SHAO . Preparation and performance of lithium-sulfur battery of Ni₂P/carbon nanotube modified separator. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2026, 42(5): 933-943. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20250334
7. [7]
  Shuhong Xiang , Lv Yang , Yingsheng Xu , Guoxin Cao , Hongjian Zhou . Selective electrosorption of Cs(Ⅰ) from high-salinity radioactive wastewater using CNT-interspersed potassium zinc ferrocyanide electrodes. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2025, 41(9): 100097-0. doi: 10.1016/j.actphy.2025.100097
8. [8]
  Chen Pu , Daijie Deng , Henan Li , Li Xu . Fe_0.64Ni_0.36@Fe₃NiN Core-Shell Nanostructure Encapsulated in N-Doped Carbon Nanotubes for Rechargeable Zinc-Air Batteries with Ultralong Cycle Stability. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(2): 2304021-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202304021
9. [9]
  Jiao CHEN , Yi LI , Yi XIE , Dandan DIAO , Qiang XIAO . Vapor-phase transport of MFI nanosheets for the fabrication of ultrathin b-axis oriented zeolite membranes. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2024, 40(3): 507-514. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20230403
10. [10]
  Xiufang Wang , Donglin Zhao , Kehua Zhang , Xiaojie Song . “Preparation of Carbon Nanotube/SnS₂ Photoanode Materials”: A Comprehensive University Chemistry Experiment. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(4): 157-162. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202308025
11. [11]
  Shengjuan Huo , Xiaoyan Zhang , Xiangheng Li , Xiangning Li , Tianfang Chen , Yuting Shen . Unveiling the Marvels of Titanium: Popularizing Multifunctional Colored Titanium Product Films. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(5): 184-192. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202310127
12. [12]
  Jie XIE , Hongnan XU , Jianfeng LIAO , Ruoyu CHEN , Lin SUN , Zhong JIN . Nitrogen-doped 3D graphene-carbon nanotube network for efficient lithium storage. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2024, 40(10): 1840-1849. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20240216
13. [13]
  Xinmeng Huang , Haoran Zhang , Mengxin Liu , Ying Miao , Zhenxi Yu , Qi Wu , Lei Pan . A densified conductive network of carbon nanotube-bridged vertical ZnO arrays for enhanced electromagnetic interference shielding, mechanical, and thermal properties of carbon fiber/polymer composites. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2026, 42(10): 100293-0. doi: 10.1016/j.actphy.2026.100293
14. [14]
  Xiaojing Tian , Zhichun Huang , Qingsong Zhang , Xu Wang , Ning Yang , Nanping Deng . PNIPAm Thermo-Responsive Nanofibers Mats: Morphological Stability and Response Behavior under Cross-Linking. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(4): 2304037-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202304037
15. [15]
  Yue Zhang , Bao Li , Lixin Wu . GO-Assisted Supramolecular Framework Membrane for High-Performance Separation of Nanosized Oil-in-Water Emulsions. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(5): 2305038-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202305038
16. [16]
  Zhi Zheng , Qi Ma , Feiyang Liu , Gukui Chen , Junlong Zhao . Defeating Dental Plaque with Science: Unlocking the Power of Biofilm Management. University Chemistry, 2026, 41(2): 295-300. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202502088
17. [17]
  Yixuan Wang , Canhui Zhang , Xingkun Wang , Jiarui Duan , Kecheng Tong , Shuixing Dai , Lei Chu , Minghua Huang . Engineering Carbon-Chainmail-Shell Coated Co₉Se₈ Nanoparticles as Efficient and Durable Catalysts in Seawater-Based Zn-Air Batteries. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(6): 2305004-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202305004
18. [18]
  Chunyue Fang , Xiaoxuan Tan , Chunhong Wang , Yang He , Xiaoyuan Pei , Yu Zhang , Sarani binti Zakaria , Guangwei Fu , Jiangang Wang , Li Chen , Kun Liu , Ting Xu , Chuanling Si . Janus liquid metal@Mxene/Fe₃O₄ nanofiber membranes with polydopamine-confined liquid metal for electromagnetic interference shielding and infrared control. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2026, 42(10): 100281-0. doi: 10.1016/j.actphy.2026.100281
19. [19]
  Min Wang , Yu Ding , Bin Dong , Haiqiu Fang , Yawei Li , Zhongtao Li . 新工科背景下“燃料电池技术”双语课程思政改革探索与实践. University Chemistry, 2026, 41(9): 1-10. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202508038
20. [20]
  Jianqiao ZHANG , Yang LIU , Yan HE , Yaling ZHOU , Fan YANG , Shihui CHENG , Bin XIA , Zhong WANG , Shijian CHEN . Ni-doped WP₂ nanowire self-standingelectrode: Preparation and alkaline electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution property. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2025, 41(8): 1610-1616. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20240444

Get Citation

PDF

XML

Metrics

PDF Downloads(39)
Abstract views(3107)
HTML views(610)

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

1.
沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142