Promises and Challenges of Unconventional Electrocatalyst Supports

Chapter
First Online:
Part of the Lecture Notes in Energy book series (LNEN, volume 9)

Abstract

One of the most significant roadblocks in the commercialization and widespread implementation of proton exchange membrane fuel cells is the identification of low-cost, high-stability, high-activity electrocatalysts. An overwhelming amount of the work that has been done in this area has targeted the electrochemically active material, which has been the focus of much of this book. However, a key component to any catalyst is its support. Interaction between the catalyst and support dictates some of the most critical parameters for fuel cell performance including catalyst dispersion, particle size, faceting, and stability. Some supports, like graphitic carbon, interact very weakly with Pt and have a limited influence on catalyst activity and stability. On the other hand, recent work by several groups has shown that a strongly interacting support can drastically impact both catalyst activity and stability.

Keywords

Carbon Black Oxygen Reduction Reaction Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Membrane Electrode Assembly Carbon Aerogel 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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© Springer-Verlag London 2013

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Department of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringUniversity of ConnecticutStorrsUSA

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