CAREER: Highly-ordered Electrode/Catalyst Assembly in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells for Enhanced Catalyst Utilization

摘要燃料电池被视为化石燃料动力应用的有前途的、环保的替代品，特别是在运输方面。在这一领域进行了大量投资，但经济的燃料电池仍然是一个目标。限制燃料电池装置广泛应用的一个关键因素是铂催化剂纳米颗粒的高成本。在这个教师早期职业发展（Career）项目奖中，宾夕法尼亚州费城德雷塞尔大学的Vibha Kalra教授将尝试在质子交换膜（PEM）燃料电池中使用一种独特的纳米纤维催化剂层来改变这种情况。催化剂将通过一种叫做静电纺丝的工艺来制造。静电纺丝是一种简单的纤维形成技术，它利用强电场加速并使聚合物溶液/熔体射流变薄，从而产生纳米级直径（50-500纳米）的纤维。该项目将包括实验和多尺度模拟，首先了解和定制所提议的催化剂层的内部组装，然后详细调查这种纳米级组装对燃料电池性能的影响。其目的是在催化剂层内形成一个相互交织的网络，这样催化剂（铂）纳米颗粒就可以同时接触到所有的反应物，从而有效地进行电化学反应。这将使电化学表面积最大化，从而使催化剂纳米颗粒的利用率最大化，从而降低催化剂的总成本。该项目的综合教育目标是帮助K-12年级、本科和研究生阶段的学生，特别是女性和那些来自代表性不足的少数民族的学生，认识到科学和工程的力量，并激励他们通过对材料和可再生能源的持续研究为社会做出贡献。Kalra教授将制定一个全面的K-12外展计划，包括为费城地区的学生和教师举办研讨会和研究经验，目前费城地区80%的学生是少数民族。综合教育活动将在不同教育水平的更多受众中引起对材料和能源研究的兴趣。

ABSTRACTFuel cells are seen as promising, environmentally desirable alternatives to fossil fuel powered applications, particularly for transportation. Significant investments have been made in this area, but economical fuel cells remain a target. A key factor that has limited the progress in broad deployment of fuel cell devices is the high cost of the incorporated platinum catalyst nanoparticles. In this Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program award, Professor Vibha Kalra of Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA will attempt to change this situation using a unique nanofiber-based catalyst layer in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The catalyst will be fabricated via a process called electrospinning. Electrospinning is a simple fiber formation technique that uses strong electric field to accelerate and thin a polymer solution/melt jet, resulting in fibers with nanoscale diameters (50-500 nm). The project will involve experiments and multi-scale simulations to first understand and tailor the internal assembly in the proposed catalyst layer followed by a detailed investigation of the effect of this nanoscale assembly on performance in fuel cells. The aim is to develop an intertwined network within the catalyst layer, such that the catalyst (platinum) nanoparticles have simultaneous access to all reactants for the electrochemical reaction to take place efficiently. This will maximize the electrochemical surface area and consequently the utilization of catalyst nanoparticles, thereby resulting in lower total catalyst cost. The integrated educational objective of this project is to help students at K-12, undergraduate and graduate levels, particularly women and those from under-represented minorities, to appreciate the power of science and engineering in general and to inspire them to contribute to society through continued research in materials and renewable energy. A comprehensive K-12 outreach program will be developed by Prof. Kalra, involving workshops and research experience for students and teachers in the Philadelphia area, where currently 80% of students are minorities. The integrated educational activities will generate interest in materials and energy research among a much larger audience at various education levels.