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组成部分。它们是高效、无污染的发电机，基于两个电化学反应：燃料的氧化和氧气的还原。在PEM燃料电池的短期运行中，最有希望的应用之一是它们在便携式单元中的使用，因为它们的功率密度可能会超过最好的电池。此外，加满燃料箱只需几秒钟，而氧气只需从环境空气中提取。直接甲酸燃料电池(DFAFC)是为便携式应用而开发的新型液体燃料电池。在这些电池的优点中，人们可以引用：(I)它们理论上高达1.4V的开路电位；(Ii)它们在室温下的有趣性能(&gt；100 mW/cm2，使用Pd黑作为阳极催化剂)；(Iii)甲酸是一种电解液；(Iv)甲酸的低燃料交叉；(V)这种燃料的相对无害。目前，用于DFAFC阳极的催化剂大多为Pd黑，优化甚至更换这种贵金属是可取的。为了挖掘甲酸作为燃料的潜力，我们的策略将是：(I)使用钯纳米线或特制的钯合金来改进现有的贵阳极催化剂；(Ii)用基于一些热处理的钴大环的非贵金属催化剂来取代钯。两名研究生和一名博士后将开发这些催化剂。在他们的研究过程中，他们将与位于INRS大楼内的一家小公司Plamionique进行互动。Plamionique专门设计和开发应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，最近为燃料电池试验台的设计和组装开设了一个新的分支机构。Plamionique参与这一提议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公司，也是加拿大为数不多的为便携式应用开发此类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.