3D Pd/Co core–shell nanoneedle arrays as a high-performance cathode catalyst layer for AAEMFCs |
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| Authors: | Jia Jia Hongmei Yu Xueqiang Gao Jun Chi Yachao Zeng Bowen Qin Dewei Yao Wei Song Zhigang Shao Baolian Yi |
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| Affiliation: | Fuel Cell System and Engineering Group, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 457 Zhongshan Road, 116023 Dalian P. R. China, Fax: +86 411 84379185, +86 411 84379051 ; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, 100049 Beijing P. R. China |
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| Abstract: | A novel cathode architecture using vertically aligned Co nanoneedle arrays as an ordered support for application in alkaline anion-exchange membrane fuel cells (AAEMFCs) has been developed. The Co nanoneedle arrays were directly grown on a stainless steel sheet via a hydrothermal reaction and then a Pd layer was deposited on the surface of the Co nanoneedle arrays using a vacuum sputter-deposition method to form Pd/Co nanoneedle arrays. After transferring the Pd/Co nanoneedle arrays to an AAEM, a cathode catalyst layer was formed. Without the use of an alkaline ionomer, the AAEMFC with the prepared cathode catalyst layer showed an enhanced performance with ultra-low Pd loading of down to 33.5 μg cm−2, which is much higher than the conventionally used cathode electrode with a Pt loading of 100 μg cm−2. This is the first report where three-dimensional Co nanoneedle arrays have been used as the cathode support in an AAEMFC, which is able to deliver a higher power density without an alkaline ionomer than that of conventional membrane electrode assembly (MEA).A novel ordered Pd/Co nanoneedle array was used as a cathode in an AAEMFC and delivered a higher power density than that of conventional MEA. |
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