SAD-GLAD Nanorod Array Catalyst Electrodes for Next Generation Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

知识分子优点：聚合物电解质膜（PEM）燃料电池技术是环境友好、可持续能源经济中最有前途的替代能源系统之一，是前所未有的。PEM燃料电池可以使用各种类型的能量载体，包括氢、乙醇和甲醇。然而，传统的PEM燃料电池电极由碳负载的铂纳米催化剂组成，存在几个关键的局限性，包括氧还原反应（ORR）缓慢、阴极Pt负载高、Pt纳米颗粒团聚、碳载体氧化、碳随时间从膜上分离以及催化剂-碳载体稳定性差。为了克服传统阴极催化剂的这些局限性，位于小石城的阿肯色大学的Tansel Karabacak教授提出采用一种新的纳米结构PEM燃料电池电极设计，该电极由单层无碳催化剂纳米棒阵列组成，具有极低的铂负载，可控的孔隙率，理想的合金成分，以及增强ORR电化学活性的首选晶体取向。Karabacak将结合最近开发的小角度沉积（SAD）和掠角沉积（GLAD）技术来制造纳米棒PEM燃料电池电极。该提案提供了一种基于非常特定的催化剂制备方法的材料生产方法。它以一种有用的方式结合了合成和燃料电池性能测量。电催化实验将与阿贡国家实验室的一位专家共同完成。更广泛的影响：燃料电池电催化领域是整个国家能源事业中相当重要的领域之一。这项工作可以促进新型纳米级电极催化剂结构的发展，这种结构可以增强ORR活性，提高耐用性，可以在超低铂负载下使用，并且可以最大化催化剂的功率/有效表面积，从而降低PEM燃料电池的成本。这种方法可以避免与传统的碳支撑Pt纳米颗粒、无支撑Pt黑和多晶连续Pt薄膜方法相关的问题。因此，这项工作有可能在燃料电池催化和电极开发方面取得重大进展。该提案还包括通过UALR为能源相关研究提供指导和外联基础设施的计划。该计划包括UALR和LISA学院特许学校的学生、教师、教师和家长之间的教育合作和互动。它概述了一个有组织的系统，包括学生教育和指导，设备和知识共享，为科学竞赛做准备，传播研究活动，以及提高阿肯色州中部地区公众对能源研究的认识的渠道。此外，阿拉巴马大学培养的少数族裔学生比阿肯色州其他任何一所大学都多。因此，拟议的努力有很大的潜力使来自代表性不足的群体的学生受益，因为该项目将雇用少数民族和女性本科生。

CBET-1159830Karabacak, TanselIntellectual merit: Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology stands unprecedented as one of the most promising alternative energy systems for an environmentally friendly, sustainable energy economy. PEM fuel cells can operate with various types of energy carriers including hydrogen, ethanol, and methanol. However, conventional PEM fuel cell electrodes, which are comprised of carbon supported platinum catalyst nanoparticles, suffer from several key limitations that include sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and high Pt loadings at the cathode, agglomeration of Pt nanoparticles, oxidation of carbon support, separation of carbon over time from the membrane, and poor catalyst-carbon support stability. To overcome these limitations of the traditional cathode catalyst, Prof. Tansel Karabacak of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock proposes to employ a new nanostructured PEM fuel cell electrode design comprised of single layer carbon-free catalyst nanorod arrays with extremely low Pt loadings, controlled porosity, ideal alloy compositions, and with preferred crystal orientations for enhanced ORR electrochemical activity. Karabacak will use a combination of recently developed small angle deposition (SAD) and glancing angle deposition (GLAD) techniques for the fabrication of the nanorod PEM fuel cell electrodes.The proposal offers a method of material production that is based on very specific catalyst preparation methodology. It combines synthesis and fuel cell performance measurements in a useful manner.The electro-catalysis experimentation will be done in conjunction with an expert at Argonne National Labs. Broader impacts: The area of fuel cell electro-catalysis is one of considerable importance in the overall national energy endeavor. The proposed work can lead to the development of new nanoscale electrode catalyst structures which enhance ORR activity, have improved durability, can be utilized with ultra-low platinum loadings, and can maximize the power/effective surface area of the catalyst, thus reducing PEM fuel cell cost. This approach can avoid the issues associated with conventional carbon-supported Pt nanoparticles, unsupported Pt-black, and polycrystalline continuous Pt thin film approaches. Therefore, this work has the potential to result in a significant advance in fuel cell catalysis and electrode development. The proposal also incorporates the plans for a mentoring and outreach infrastructure for energy related research through UALR. This plan includes an educational collaboration and interaction among the students, faculty, teachers, and parents at UALR and the LISA Academy Charter School. It outlines an organized system of student education and mentoring, equipment and knowledge share, preparation towards science competitions, dissemination of research activities, and channels of increasing the awareness of public in energy research in the area of central Arkansas. In addition, UALR educates more minority students than any other institution in Arkansas. Hence, the proposed effort has a strong potential of benefiting the students coming from underrepresented groups, where the project will employ minority and female undergraduate students.