Phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC) were the first fuel cells to be successfully commercialized and are currently used for stationary heat and power applications across 19 countries and 6 continents.  PAFCs presently operate at 80% combined heat and power efficiency, but the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in concentrated H3PO4 is a major factor limiting the performance.  Traditionally platinum based electrocatalyst have been used to facilitate ORR, but these materials suffer poisoning effects from phosphate ion adsorption (H2O4-).  NPMCs with Fe and Co have been investigated for over 50 years for use in the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell and significant improvements have now made these catalysts viable competitors with platinum-based catalysts.  The present study will use the hanging-meniscus rotating disk electrode to probe kinetic parameters of ORR on these NPMCs in 85% H3PO4 at elevated temperatures.

Non-precious metal catalysts (NPMC): Investigating phosphate ion adsorption

245th National Meeting (2013)

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