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Enhanced performance of a silicon microfabricated direct methanol fuel cell with PtRu catalysts supported on few-walled carbon nanotubes

Author

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  • Borghei, Maryam
  • Scotti, Gianmario
  • Kanninen, Petri
  • Weckman, Timo
  • Anoshkin, Ilya V.
  • Nasibulin, Albert G.
  • Franssila, Sami
  • Kauppinen, Esko I.
  • Kallio, Tanja
  • Ruiz, Virginia

Abstract

Si-MFCs (Silicon micro fuel cells) are promising power supplies for microelectronic applications, however their development is still at early stages compared to the conventional PEM-FCs (proton exchange membrane fuel cells). There are not many published reports on the durability of Si-MFCs and those available only projected the life-time of standard Vulcan based catalysts. However, the limited durability resulting from carbon corrosion is one of the crucial issues in fuel cells. In this study, Si-MFC with an integrated silicon nanograss diffusion layer is used for the direct methanol fuel cell investigations. The long-term (3-day) performance of PtRu catalysts supported on different carbon supports, namely Vulcan, GNFs (Graphitized carbon nanofibers) and FWCNTs (Few-walled carbon nanotubes), was studied. PtRu-FWCNTs and PtRu-GNFs exhibited respectively 471% (20.0 mW cm−2) and 274% (13.1 mW cm−2) power density enhancements compared to PtRu-Vulcan (3.5 mW cm−2). After 3-day durability measurements, power density stayed at 72%, 68% and 91% of the initial value, respectively for PtRu-FWCNTs, PtRu-GNFs and PtRu-Vulcan. To evaluate the influence of carbon supports as well as the distribution and the size of the nanoparticles on the overall performance of Si-MFCs, further characterizations with Raman, BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller), XRD (X-ray diffraction), SEM (Scanning electron microscopy) and TEM (Transmission Electron microscopy) were performed.

Suggested Citation

  • Borghei, Maryam & Scotti, Gianmario & Kanninen, Petri & Weckman, Timo & Anoshkin, Ilya V. & Nasibulin, Albert G. & Franssila, Sami & Kauppinen, Esko I. & Kallio, Tanja & Ruiz, Virginia, 2014. "Enhanced performance of a silicon microfabricated direct methanol fuel cell with PtRu catalysts supported on few-walled carbon nanotubes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 612-620.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:65:y:2014:i:c:p:612-620
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2013.11.067
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    2. Yu, Bor-Chern & Wang, Yi-Chun & Lu, Hsin-Chun & Lin, Hsiu-Li & Shih, Chao-Ming & Kumar, S. Rajesh & Lue, Shingjiang Jessie, 2017. "Hydroxide-ion selective electrolytes based on a polybenzimidazole/graphene oxide composite membrane," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 802-812.
    3. Song, Xingjuan & Zhang, Dongming, 2014. "Bimetallic Ag–Ni/C particles as cathode catalyst in AFCs (alkaline fuel cells)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 223-230.
    4. Ye, Luhan & Lv, Weiqiang & Zhang, Kelvin H.L. & Wang, Xiaoning & Yan, Pengfei & Dickerson, James H. & He, Weidong, 2015. "A new insight into the oxygen diffusion in porous cathodes of lithium-air batteries," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 669-673.
    5. Lee, Seul-Yi & Kim, Byung-Ju & Park, Soo-Jin, 2014. "Influence of H2O2 treatment on electrochemical activity of mesoporous carbon-supported Pt–Ru catalysts," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 70-76.
    6. Hill, Frances A. & Havel, Timothy F. & Lashmore, David & Schauer, Mark & Livermore, Carol, 2014. "Storing energy and powering small systems with mechanical springs made of carbon nanotube yarn," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 318-325.

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