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A non-noble Cr–Ni-based catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 January 2018

P. Faubert*
Affiliation:
Department of Microsystems Engineering IMTEK, Laboratory for Process Technology, University of Freiburg, D-79110 Freiburg, Germany
I. Kondov
Affiliation:
Steinbuch Centre for Computing, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
D. Qazzazie
Affiliation:
Department of Microsystems Engineering IMTEK, Laboratory for Sensors, University of Freiburg, D-79110 Freiburg, Germany
O. Yurchenko
Affiliation:
University of Freiburg, Freiburg Materials Research Center FMF, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
C. Müller
Affiliation:
Department of Microsystems Engineering IMTEK, Laboratory for Process Technology, University of Freiburg, D-79110 Freiburg, Germany
*
Address all correspondence to P. Faubert at [email protected]
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Abstract

We report on a new type of polymer electrolyte fuel cell based on a hydroxide ion conductive polymer combined with a non-noble chromium–nickel (Cr–Ni) catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). We study variable fractions of Cr in Ni by density functional theory simulating the thermodynamic potentials characterizing the ORR. We found increased ORR catalytic activity employing the rotating disk electrode technique. The polarization curve and power densities measured for the constructed fuel cell indicate considerable performance improvement with the Cr–Ni catalyst. Thus we expect that this kind of fuel cell may open up alternative routes in fuel cell research using non-noble catalysts.

Type
Research Letters
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2018 

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