Journal of Electrochemical Society: Fuel Cells and Energy Conversion - Current Issue

Selenium: A Nonprecious Metal Cathode Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction

Kiera A. Kurak and Alfred B. Anderson
From voltammetric studies, trigonal phase selenium (t-Se) nanotubes, which are bundles of hexagonally packed helical chains of Se atoms, have been shown by others to be stable in acid and have a double-layer region extending from 0.2 (standard hydrogen electrode) to 0.75 V. This is broader than the ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B173 (2009)] published Fri Nov 20, 2009.

Effects of Ion Irradiation on the Performance of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Kevin M. Crabb, Joon Seok Park, Cheng-Chieh Chao, and Fritz B. Prinz
In this paper, the effects of ion irradiation at the cathodeelectrolyte interface of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are studied. In particular, the currentvoltage performance is studied as a function of irradiation energy for both xenon and sodium ions at a dose of 1 x 10 ions/cm. Impedance spectro ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B166 (2009)] published Thu Nov 19, 2009.

Crystal Structure, Oxygen Nonstoichiometry, and Conductivity of Mixed IonicElectronic Conducting Perovskite Composites with CeO

E. Konysheva, S. M. Francis, and J. T. S. Irvine
Conductivity, structure, and oxygen nonstoichiometry of compositions in the following series (100x) LaSrCoOxCeO (LSCCe) and (100x) LaSrMnOxCeO (LSMCe), where x=0, 2, 5, and 10 mol %, are studied. CeO has a low solubility limit in the rhombohedral structure. Compositions containing more than 2 mol ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B159 (2009)] published Thu Nov 19, 2009.

Grain Growth Enhancement and Ga Distribution of Cu(InGa)Se Film Using CuSe Layer on CuInGa Metal Precursor

Min Sik Kim, R. B. V. Chalapathy, Kyung Hoon Yoon, and Byung Tae Ahn
A precursor layer for Cu(InGa)Se (CIGS) was deposited by simultaneous sputtering of CuIn and CuGa and subsequent sputtering of CuSe. The CuSe/metal alloy-stacked precursor was selenized at 550 degrees C in a Se vapor atmosphere to grow a CIGS film. The thickness of the CuSe layer was varied to contr ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B154 (2009)] published Wed Nov 18, 2009.

Photocatalytically Generated Bimetallic (PtAu/CTiO) Electrocatalysts for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Applications

Norma R. de Tacconi, Krishnan Rajeshwar, Wilaiwan Chanmanee, Vinodh Valluri, Wesley A. Wampler et al.
Heterogeneous photocatalysis was used to prepare bimetallic PtAu modified carbonTiO matrices for use in polymer electrolyte fuel cells. These new generation electrocatalysts were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analyses, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoel ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B147 (2009)] published Wed Nov 18, 2009.

Mixed Oxide Ion and Hole Conductivity in PrNiCuGaO Membrane

Tatsumi Ishihara, Nuansaeng Sirikanda, Kenichi Nakashima, Shogo Miyoshi, and Hiroshige Matsumoto
The mixed conductivity and oxygen permeation properties of Pr-deficient PrNiCuMO (M=In,Ga,Al,Ni) were investigated. Among the dopants studied, the Ga-doped membrane was a superior mixed conductor, and it exhibited a high oxygen permeation rate compared with that of the other compositions. Examinatio ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B141 (2009)] published Thu Nov 19, 2009.

Modeling and Investigation of Carbon Loss on the Cathode Electrode during PEMFC Operation

Norimitsu Takeuchi and Thomas F. Fuller
Severe carbon loss phenomena, such as partial hydrogen starvation and start-up, have been investigated in previous works. Even for short times, these acute situations can be fatal, and some methods have been suggested to mitigate carbon oxidation and improve proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B135 (2009)] published Mon Nov 16, 2009.

Suppressed Carbon Deposition Behavior in Nickel/Yittria-Stablized Zirconia Anode with SrZrYO in Dry Methane Fuel

Yongcheng Jin, Hiroyuki Yasutake, Keiji Yamahara, and Manabu Ihara
The distribution of carbon deposition on the cross section of a nickel/yittria-stablized zirconia (Ni/YSZ) anode after an accelerated degradation test in dry methane was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray. The area near the anode top surface side w ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B130 (2009)] published Fri Nov 13, 2009.

Evaluation of Metal Supported Ceria Based Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Fabricated by Wet Powder Spray and Sintering

Naoki Oishi and Yeong Yoo
A ceria based solid oxide fuel cell was fabricated onto a porous stainless steel support by sintering process. The metal supported cell was composed of a porous AISI430 support, a NiCeYO anode, a CeGdO electrolyte, and a LaSrCoFeO cathode. A cell was tested at 600 degrees C for up to 2700 h on humid ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B125 (2009)] published Fri Nov 13, 2009.

Development of a Durable PEMFC Start-Up Process by Applying a Dummy Load

Jae Hong Kim, Eun Ae Cho, Jong Hyun Jang, Hyoung Juhn Kim, Tae Hoon Lim et al.
To investigate the effect of an application of a dummy load during the start-up procedure on the degradations of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) exposed to the 1200 repetitive start-upshutdown cycling, this paper uses a variety of physicochemical methods such as online CO analysis, field-emissio ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B118 (2009)] published Fri Nov 13, 2009.

Pore Formation by In Situ Etching of Nanorod PEM Fuel Cell Electrodes

M. D. Gasda, G. A. Eisman, and D. Gall
Layers of 150 nm wide and 0.51.5 [mu]m long carbon nanorods were grown by glancing angle deposition on Si substrates, sputter-coated with 0.10 mg/cm Pt, and transferred to polymer electrolyte membranes for testing as cathode electrodes in fuel cells. The rods were etched within fully assembled cel ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B113 (2009)] published Fri Nov 13, 2009.

Effects of Cathode Inlet Relative Humidity on PEMFC Durability during StartupShutdown Cycling

Jae Hong Kim, Eun Ae Cho, Jong Hyun Jang, Hyoung Juhn Kim, Tae Hoon Lim et al.
This work investigated the effect of cathode inlet relative humidity (RH) on the durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) during startupshutdown cycling via single-cell experiments. Electrochemical techniques, including measurements of polarization curves, electrochemical impedance ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B104 (2009)] published Fri Nov 13, 2009.

Electrochemical Synthesis of CuIn(Se,S) Layer for Thin-Film Solar Cell with a Superstrate Configuration

Shigeru Ikeda, Ryo Kamai, Tetsuro Yagi, and Michio Matsumura
Copper indium diselenide (CuInSe) thin films were grown on a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrate covered with a thin layer of cadmium sulfide (CdS) by an electrodeposition method. The annealing of the films in a sulfur atmosphere resulted in a partial replacement of selenium with sulfur t ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B99 (2009)] published Fri Nov 13, 2009.

Kinetic Monte Carlo Simulation of AC Impedance on the Cathode Side of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

Xian Wang, Kah Chun Lau, C. Heath Turner, and Brett I. Dunlap
A kinetic Monte Carlo model is developed to simulate the oxygen reduction reaction and frequency response at the cathode of a 9 mol % yttria-stabilized zirconia fuel cell, using an asymmetrical cell scheme. To investigate the frequency-response characteristics, ac electrochemical impedance spectra h ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B90 (2009)] published Fri Nov 13, 2009.

Direct Glucose Fuel Cell: Noble Metal Catalyst Anode Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell with Glucose Fuel

Christopher A. Apblett, David Ingersoll, Sarang Sarangapani, Michael Kelly, and Plamen Atanassov
A 1 cm constant flow glucose-oxygen fuel cell has been demonstrated using noble metal catalysis. The fuel cell is based on PtRuO anode catalysts and Pt cathode. Operation of this cell under various concentrations of glucose has revealed the presence of a region of the polarization curve in which ad ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B86 (2009)] published Fri Nov 13, 2009.

Characterization of Interfacial Structure in PEFCs: Water Storage and Contact Resistance Model

Tushar Swamy, E. C. Kumbur, and M. M. Mench
In this work, an analytical model of the microporous layer (MPL) and the catalyst layer (CL) interface under compression is developed to investigate the effects of the MPL|CL interfacial morphology on the ohmic and mass transport losses at the MPL|CL interface in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEF ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B77 (2009)] published Fri Nov 13, 2009.

Sputter-Deposited Pt/CrN Nanoparticle PEM Fuel Cell Cathodes: Limited Proton Conductivity Through Electrode Dewetting

M. D. Gasda, G. A. Eisman, and D. Gall
Platinum-coated chromium nitride electrodes are deposited onto gas diffusion layers by normal and glancing angle deposition and are tested as cathodes for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy show that the CrN forms 111-oriented nanoparticles ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B71 (2009)] published Fri Nov 13, 2009.

Interpretation of Low Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrochemical Impedance Spectra

Timothy P. Holme, Rojana Pornprasertsuk, and Fritz B. Prinz
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was performed on low temperature solid oxide fuel cells with yttria-stabilized zirconia electrolytes and different electrode materials and morphologies. Three loops are seen in a Nyquist plot; the high frequency loop is attributed to the electrolyte and series ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B64 (2009)] published Tue Nov 10, 2009.

Bifunctional Oxygen Reduction Reaction Mechanism on Non-Platinum Catalysts Derived from Pyrolyzed Porphyrins

Tim S. Olson, Svitlana Pylypenko, Julia E. Fulghum, and Plamen Atanassov
A study on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) mechanism that occurs on non-platinum electrocatalysts, specifically materials derived from pyrolyzed cobalt tetramethoxyphenyl porphyrin in acidic media, is presented here. Reactant and product flux analysis is performed on rotating ring-disk electrode ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B54 (2009)] published Tue Nov 10, 2009.

In Situ Measurements of Water Vapor Partial Pressure and Temperature Dynamics in a PEM Fuel Cell

Ritobrata Sur, Thomas J. Boucher, Michael W. Renfro, and Baki M. Cetegen
A fast in situ sensor was developed for detection of water vapor partial pressure and temperature simultaneously in the flow channels of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. Utilizing tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy with wavelength modulation, this technique determined the ratio o ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B45 (2009)] published Tue Nov 10, 2009.

Pulse Electrodepositions of PtRu on Large-Area Carbon Nanotubes for Enhancement of Methanol Electro-Oxidation

Yi-Fan Hsieh, Yu-Chi Hsieh, Pu-Wei Wu, Chen-Hong Liao, and Yun-Min Chang
We employed an electroless deposition technique to prepare Ni seeds uniformly on a carbon cloth, followed by carbon nanotube (CNT) formation at an elevated temperature. Subsequently, a pulse electrodeposition was used to impregnate PtRu nanoparticles on the CNT structure. Similar procedures were per ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B39 (2009)] published Tue Nov 10, 2009.

Observations of Transient Flooding in a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Using Time-Resolved Neutron Radiography

M. A. Hickner, N. P. Siegel, K. S. Chen, D. S. Hussey, and D. L. Jacobson
The generation and transport of water in both liquid and gas phases during device operation are important areas to understand both steady state and transient performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Localized concentrations of liquid water within the cell can cause flooding, which leads t ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B32 (2009)] published Tue Nov 10, 2009.

Mediation at High Potentials for the Reduction of Oxygen to Water by Cobalt PorphyrinQuinone Systems in Porous Aerogel Carbon Electrodes

L. Elbaz, E. Korin, L. Soifer, and A. Bettelheim
Reduced p-, m-, and o-benzoquinones: hydroquinone (HQ), resorcinol (Res), and catechol (Cat), undergo irreversible monolayer adsorption in aerogel carbon (AEC) electrodes with rates of 1.7 x 10, 7.1 x 10, and 1.4 x 10 s for HQ, Res, and Cat, respectively. The adsorbed species showed electrochemical ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B27 (2009)] published Wed Nov 4, 2009.

The Multiprocess Degradation of PEMFC Performance Due to Sulfur Dioxide Contamination and Its Recovery

Y. Zhai, G. Bender, S. Dorn, and R. Rocheleau
The effects of trace concentrations of SO contaminant present in the cathode feed stream on proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) performance are studied. Contaminant concentrations of 1, 2, and 10 ppm were exposed to the cell applying a total dosage of 160 [mu]mol of SO at 80 degrees C and a ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B20 (2009)] published Tue Nov 3, 2009.

Zinc Anode for Direct Borohydride Fuel Cells

D. M. F. Santos and C. A. C. Sequeira
Zinc is evaluated as a negative electrode for the direct electrochemical oxidation of sodium borohydride (NaBH). Open-circuit potential measurements, cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and chronopotentiometry are used to characterize the electrode behavior, namely, the oxidation reaction at the ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B13 (2009)] published Tue Nov 3, 2009.

Modeling of PEMFC Transients with Finite-Rate Phase-Transfer Processes

Hao Wu, Peter Berg, and Xianguo Li
The dynamic performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is of great interest for mobile applications such as in automobiles. In this study, a rigorous three-dimensional transient model has been developed through a comprehensive inclusion of various transport phenomena and phase-t ... [J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, B1 (2009)] published Tue Nov 3, 2009.