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Si/TiOx Core/Shell Nanowires with Branched Cathode Support Structures for Pt Catalysts in PEM Fuel Cells

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2013

Xiaoli He ,
Richard Phillips ,
Anurag Kawde ,
Robin Hansen ,
Jae Ho Lee ,
Isaac Lund ,
Eric Eisenbraun  and
Robert E. Geer
Xiaoli He
Affiliation:
College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, University at Albany, State University of New York, 255 Fuller Road, Albany, NY 12203, U.S.A.
Richard Phillips
Affiliation:
College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, University at Albany, State University of New York, 255 Fuller Road, Albany, NY 12203, U.S.A.
Anurag Kawde
Affiliation:
College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, University at Albany, State University of New York, 255 Fuller Road, Albany, NY 12203, U.S.A.
Robin Hansen
Affiliation:
College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, University at Albany, State University of New York, 255 Fuller Road, Albany, NY 12203, U.S.A.
Jae Ho Lee
Affiliation:
College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, University at Albany, State University of New York, 255 Fuller Road, Albany, NY 12203, U.S.A.
Isaac Lund
Affiliation:
College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, University at Albany, State University of New York, 255 Fuller Road, Albany, NY 12203, U.S.A.
Eric Eisenbraun
Affiliation:
College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, University at Albany, State University of New York, 255 Fuller Road, Albany, NY 12203, U.S.A.
Robert E. Geer
Affiliation:
College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, University at Albany, State University of New York, 255 Fuller Road, Albany, NY 12203, U.S.A.
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Abstract

There are several significant challenges that must be overcome for PEM fuel cell commercialization such as electrode flooding, carbon corrosion, and significant cost due to the high loading of the platinum catalyst. Thus, a new structure is proposed for the cathode catalyst support consisting of Si/TiOx core/shell nanowires with branched structures, which has the potential to reduce electrode flooding, increase stability, and dramatically reduce the required Pt loading. In this study, Pt-coated Si/TiOx core/shell nanowires with and without branches are compared. The Pt surface area on supports with branch structures was calculated to be more than 4 times larger than on supports without branch structures, while keeping the Pt loading at only about 0.1 mg/cm2 (for the samples with branched structures). SEM, XRD, AES, and TEM were used to characterize the morphologies and structures of the as-prepared samples. Branched Si/TiOx core/shell nanowire structures may be a promising catalyst support to enable commercialization of highly cost-efficient PEM fuel cells and to promote an era of clean energy usage.

Keywords

core/shellcatalyticPt
Type
Articles
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1497: Symposium K – Hierarchically Structured Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage , 2013 , mrsf12-1497-k06-41
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2013

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References

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