Catalysts and membrane breakthrough for direct high temperature propane PEM fuel cell appliccations

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This research project aims to bring significant breakthrough in catalyst and membranes materials on the development of direct high temperature propane PEM Fuel cells. Using ab initio calculation as first screening, some new phosphorus Pd-alloy based cathodes and composite Pd-oxy-nitride materials anodes have been identified for direct hydrocarbon PEM fuel cells applications. This project will develop direct propane PEM Fuel Cells based on the home-prepared (P- Pd-alloys, Pd-alloy-oxy nitride and composite PBI-HMI-Tf membrane). The catalysts electrodes will be processed using a new method based on sol-gel approach. The catalyst will be characterised by XRD, SEM-EDS, ICP-MS, etc. They will be tested in a half electrochemical cell for the propane electro-oxidation on Pd-alloy-oxy-nitride and kinetic studies. Similar studies will be done for the ORR on P-Pd-alloy. The materials which exhibited the best performance for these reactions will be correlated to the results (adsorption energies of the O2 reduction species on P-Pd-alloys, and propane oxidation on pd-alloy-oxy-nitride, work function, d-band center, etc.) predicted by ab initio calculations. These correlations will be used to support a new formalism we are building in electro catalysis. The best catalysts will be supported on carbon or modified T4O7 nano-tubes we already fabricated and will be tested as anodes and cathodes in a 2.25 cm2 area single PEM fuel cell at 80- 150 oC. An improved composite PBI membranes cast with ionic liquids, we identified recently will be used as high temperature membranes. The DPFC fixture will include this modified nano composite PBI based membranes and the above optimised anodes and cathodes. Single Fuel cell polarization curves will be taken under different propane/oxygen pressure ratios (ratio PR). The materials and PR which will exhibit the best results for DPFC operating at intermediate temperature (80-150 oC) will be determined. The performance target at the end of the project will be a cell power density of a 200 mW/cm2. The ultimate objective is to determine a new class of materials for direct hydrocarbon PEM fuel cells.