New catalysts for direct formic acid fuel cells

聚合物电解质膜（PEM）燃料电池是可持续能源系统的一部分。它们是基于两个电化学反应的高效无污染发电机：燃料的氧化和氧气的还原。PEM燃料电池在短期内最有前途的应用之一是它们在便携式装置中的使用，因为它们的功率密度可能超过最好的电池。此外，加满它们的油箱只需要几秒钟，而氧气则简单地从环境空气中获取。直接甲酸燃料电池（DFAFC）是一种新型的便携式液体燃料电池。在这些电池的优点中，可以引用：（i）它们的1.4V的理论高开路电位;（ii）它们在室温下的令人感兴趣的性能（使用Pd黑作为阳极催化剂>100 mW/cm 2）;（iii）甲酸是电解质的事实;（iv）甲酸的低燃料交叉;（V）该燃料的相对无害。目前，DFAFC阳极使用的催化剂主要是Pd黑，因此需要优化甚至替换这种贵金属。为了开发甲酸作为燃料的潜力，我们的策略将是：（i）使用Pd纳米线或特制的Pd合金来改进当前的贵金属阳极催化剂;（ii）使用基于一些热处理的钴大环的非贵金属催化剂来代替Pd。两名研究生和一名博士后研究员将开发这些催化剂。在研究过程中，他们将与位于INRS大楼内的一家小公司Plasmionique进行互动。Plasmionique专门设计和开发用于纳米结构薄膜涂层、先进材料和表面工程的工具和工艺，最近开设了一个新的分支，用于设计和组装燃料电池测试台。Plasmionique参与这项提案将使该公司能够评估生产高性能DFAFC的可能性，并成为魁北克第一家开发这种便携式燃料电池的公司，也是加拿大少数几家开发这种便携式燃料电池的公司之一。

Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells are part of sustainable energy systems. They are efficient and non polluting electrical generators based on two electrochemical reactions:  the oxidation of a fuel and the reduction of oxygen. One of the most promising applications in the short run of PEM fuel cells is their use in portable units, as their power density may overcome that of the best batteries. Moreover, filling their fuel tank only takes a few seconds, while oxygen is simply taken from ambient air. Direct formic acid fuel cells (DFAFCs) are new liquid fuel cells developed for portable applications. Among the advantages of these cells, one may quote : (i) their theoretical high open circuit potential of 1.4V; (ii) their interesting performance at room temperature (>100 mW/cm2 using Pd black as anode catalyst; (iii) the fact that formic acid is an electrolyte; (iv) the low fuel cross-over of formic acid; (v) the relative harmlessness of that fuel. Today the catalyst used at the anode of DFAFCs is mostly Pd black and optimizing or even replacing this precious metal is desirable. In order to exploit the potential of formic acid as fuel, our strategies will be: (i) to improve the current precious anode catalyst using Pd nanowires or specially made Pd alloys; (ii) to replace Pd with non-precious metal catalysts based on some heat-treated cobalt macrocycles. Two graduate students and one postdoctoral fellow will be developing these catalysts. During the course of their research, they will interact with Plasmionique, a small company located in INRS's building. Plasmionique, which is specialized in the design and development of tools and processes for application to nanostructural film coatings, advanced materials and surface engineering, has recently open a new branch for the design and the assembly of fuel cell test benches. The participation of Plasmionique to this proposal will enable the company to evaluate the possibility to produce highly performing DFAFCs and become the first company in Quebec and only one of the few in Canada to develop such fuel cells for portable applications.