Performance degradation of direct formic acid fuel cell incorporating a Pd anode catalyst

Won Suk Jung, Jonghee Han, Sung Pil Yoon, Suk Woo Nam, Tae Hoon Lim, Seong Ahn Hong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Electrochemical and physical analysis is employed to verify the performance degradation mechanism in direct formic acid fuel cells (DFAFCs). The power density of a single cell measured at 200 mA cm-2 decreases by 40% after 11 h of operation. The performance of the single cell is partly recovered however, by a reactivation process. Various analytical methods such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) are used to investigate the mechanism of performance degradation. The analytical results show that the electrolyte membranes in the DFAFC are stable for 11 h of operation after the reactivation process. The major factors causing performance degradation in the DFAFC are an increment in the anode charge-transfer resistance and a growth in the particle size of the Pd anode catalyst. The anode charge-transfer resistance, confirmed by EIS, increases with operation time and is due to poisoning of the catalyst surface. Although it is not clear what chemical species poisons the catalyst surface, the catalyst surface is cleaned by the reactivation process. Performance losses caused by surface poisoning are completely recovered by the reactivation process. Increase in catalyst size induces a reduction in active surface area, and the performance loss caused by the growth in catalyst size cannot be recovered by the reactivation process.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4573-4578
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Power Sources
Volume196
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011 May 15

Keywords

  • Direct formic acid fuel cell
  • Palladium catalyst
  • Particle size growth
  • Performance degradation
  • Surface poisoning

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Performance degradation of direct formic acid fuel cell incorporating a Pd anode catalyst'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this