A novel Ir/CeO2-C nanoparticle electrocatalyst for the hydrogen oxidation reaction of alkaline anion exchange membrane fuel cells

By Qin, Bowen; Yu, Hongmei; Chi, Jun; Jia, Jia; Gao, Xueqiang; Yao, Dewei; Yi, Baolian; Shao, Zhigang
Published in RSC Adv. 2017

Abstract

Alkaline anion exchange membrane fuel cells have faster kinetics for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) than proton exchange membrane fuel cells; however, the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) at anodes with precious metals is more sluggish under alkaline conditions than that under acidic conditions, which hinders the further development of fuel cells. Herein, a novel catalyst, iridium nanoparticle-supported ceria-carbon black (10% Ir/CeO2-C), was developed for use in the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) under basic conditions. Cyclic voltammetry reveals that the electrochemical surface area of 10% Ir/CeO2-C is 1.5 times that of 10% Ir/C. The RDE measurement suggests that the exchange current density of 10% Ir/CeO2-C is 2.4 times that of 10% Ir/C, and the mass activity and specific activity of 10% Ir/CeO2-C for HOR are greater than those of 10% Ir/C by 2.8 fold and 1.8 fold, respectively. The effective prevention of the agglomeration of the highly dispersed Ir nanoparticles could be ascribed to the strong metal-support interaction between Ir and CeO2, and the promoted electrocatalytic activity would benefit from the oxophilic effect due to the higher oxygen storage-release capacity of ceria. Thus, 10% Ir/CeO2-C would be a good candidate for use at the anode of alkaline anion exchange membrane fuel cells.

Read » Back