Performance Evaluation of PtAgFe/C as a Cathode Catalyst in PEM Fuel Cell

Year 2018, Volume: 31 Issue: 1, 42 - 51, 01.03.2018

Çiğdem Güldür , Silver Güneş

Abstract

PtAgFe/C catalysts with different atomic ratios were
synthesized by wet impregnation reduction method in order to be used in the
catalysis of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in the polymer electrolyte
membrane (PEM) fuel cell. Physical characterization studies showed that the
surface areas of the catalysts varied between 162 and 181 m²/g and
the pore textures were mainly macroporous. The mean particle sizes were as
small as 3.01 nm, which is for Pt₆AgFe/C, but increased as the Pt
atomic ratio decreased. The highest electrochemically active area was obtained
as 557 cm²/mg from the Pt₆AgFe/C which has the highest Pt
atomic ratio. However, mass activities were higher in the catalysts with lesser
Pt content. Finally, catalysts were tested in a home-made PEM single cell by
preparing membrane electrode assemblies (MEA). Pt₆AgFe/C had
comparable performance to the commercial Pt/C catalyst when Pt content was
taken into consideration. Results show that PtAgFe/C ternary catalysts can be
used as a cost effective alternative in PEM fuel cells. 

Keywords

PEM, Cathode, Oxygen reduction reaction, Ternary catalyst

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