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Fuel Cells Catalyst for Start-Up and Shutdown Conditions: Electrochemical, XPS, and STEM Evaluation of Sputter-Deposited Ru, Ir, and Ti on Pt-Coated Nanostructured Thin Film Supports

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Abstract

Minute amounts of Ru, Ir, and Ti (2 and 10 μg/cm2) sputter-deposited over 3M Pt-coated nanostructured thin film (NSTF) substrate were evaluated as oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts in a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) environment. The purpose of the study was to explore the suitability of these elements for modifying both the anode and the cathode catalysts in order to lower the overpotential for the oxidation of water during transient conditions. By keeping the electrode potential as close as possible to the thermodynamic potential for OER, other components in the fuel cell, such as platinum, the gas diffusion layer, and the bipolar plates, will be less prone to degradation. While Ru and Ir were chosen due to their high OER activity in aqueous environment, Ti was also included due to its ability to stabilize the OER catalysts. The 3M Pt-NSTF was selected as a stable, carbon-free substrate. The surface chemistry and the morphology of OER catalysts on Pt-NSTF were examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy. The OER catalytic activity of Ru and Ir in PEMs compares well with their behavior in aqueous environment. It was found that Ru is more active than Ir, that Ir is considerably more stable, while the mass activity of both is higher in comparison with similar OER catalysts.

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Acknowledgments

Theresa Watschke, Jess Wheldon, and Jimmy Wong are acknowledged for their assistance in the fuel cell testing. This work was supported by the Fuel Cell Technologies Program, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, US Department of Energy under Award Number DE-EE0000456. This research was sponsored by Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Shared Research Equipment (ShaRE) User Program, which is sponsored by the Office of Basic Energy Sciences, US Department of Energy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 3M Company Fuel Cell Components Program, St. Paul, MN, 55144, USA

    Radoslav T. Atanasoski, Gregory M. Haugen & George D. Vernstrom

  2. 3M Corporate Research Analytical Laboratory, St. Paul, MN, 55144, USA

    Ljiljana L. Atanasoska

  3. Materials Science & Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA

    David A. Cullen & Karren L. More

Authors
  1. Radoslav T. Atanasoski
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  2. Ljiljana L. Atanasoska
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  3. David A. Cullen
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  4. Gregory M. Haugen
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  5. Karren L. More
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  6. George D. Vernstrom
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Correspondence to Radoslav T. Atanasoski.

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This paper is dedicated to our friend and colleague, Radoslav R. Adzic, in celebration of his 70th birthday and his significant contributions to the field of electrocatalysis.

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Atanasoski, R.T., Atanasoska, L.L., Cullen, D.A. et al. Fuel Cells Catalyst for Start-Up and Shutdown Conditions: Electrochemical, XPS, and STEM Evaluation of Sputter-Deposited Ru, Ir, and Ti on Pt-Coated Nanostructured Thin Film Supports. Electrocatalysis 3, 284–297 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12678-012-0092-3

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