Proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is considered as an efficient, lightweight and environment-friendly alternative for future energy demands. Currently, most of PEMFCs operate under relatively low temperature, which calls for large amounts of expensive platinum catalysts due to its low electrocatalyst activity caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. High temperature operation can promote the electrocatalyst activity but reduce proton conductivity due to the water loss. The development of self-humidifying PEM can not only improve the water management in PEMFC, but also decrease the cost and self-energy consumption of PEMFC. In our previous work, we reported a self-humidifying membrane by confining subnanoliter volumes of PFSA within zeolite coated porous stainless steel substrate. The confined zeolite-PFSA composite membrane displays promoted performance under high temperatures and low humidity. Herein both confined PFSA-zeolite composite membrane and new anti carbon monoxide-poisoning electrocatalyst based on Pt-supported titanium carbide are employed in PEMFC system to improve the performance under high temperature, dry feed and low-purity fuel conditions. The novel titanium-based supported Pt electrocatalyst has high CO tolerance and electrocatalyst activity. It is believed that accelerated catalytic process Pt/TiC contributes to the generation of more water and water retention capability of confined PFSA-zeolite composite membrane facilitates proton transport, thus leading to significant improvement in fuel cell performance.

Novel PEMFC with promoted performance under high temperature

251st National Meeting (2016)

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