Advanced Three-Dimensional Non-Precious Metal Catalysts with Tunable Active Sites for Fuel Cells

用于燃料电池的具有可调活性位点的先进三维非贵金属催化剂

• 批准号: RGPIN-2019-04062
• 负责人: Chen, Zhongwei
• 金额: $ 3.35万
• 依托单位: University of Waterloo
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=747117
• 关键词: Advanced; Three; Dimensional; Non; Precious

Since their birth in the last century, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have been highly touted as the most promising technology to meet the ever-increasing energy demands of modern society while addressing environmental concerns. However, the high cost and poor durability of the platinum (Pt) based catalysts at cathode continue to impede widespread commercialization of PEMFCs. As a desirable alternative to Pt-based catalysts, non-precious metal catalysts (NPMCs) towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) were proposed. After years of progress, the activity and durability of NPMC-based cathodes are still far from providing a practical solution for PEMFC systems. To advance NPMC research significantly, challenges related to the active sites must be addressed. These challenges include low active site density, low active site accessibility, and uncertain active site structure with low inherent activity. We propose to overcome these challenges through the rational design of NPMCs. Specifically, three series of unique three-dimensional NPMCs (3D-NPMCs), with tunable active site density, accessibility, and inherent activity, will be prepared from 3D-precursors using new techniques, such as atomic dispersion of active sites. We will optimize ORR activity and durability with detailed physiochemical and electrochemical characterizations and theoretical calculations and elucidate the underlying factors related to the active sites. Promising 3D-NPMCs will be fabricated into unique 3D-architectured NPMC cathodes, which will be integrated and investigated extensively in a single cell PEMFC. The optimal electrode properties and preparation parameters will be determined via both experiment and numerical modeling. With further extensive durability tests in PEMFC and associated post-testing characterizations, the mechanism of performance degradation and active site evolution during long-term operation will be elucidated and mitigation strategies and diagnosis techniques will be developed accordingly. This novel research will advance the technical and scientific knowledge for the rational design of 3D-NPMCs with tunable active sites and unique 3D-NPMC electrodes, influencing material science, electrochemistry, nanotechnology, and clean energy technology. It also will reduce costs for fuel cell manufacturing and distribution companies, as well as related fuel cell automobile companies. Finally, the HQP trained in this work will be exposed to top-quality personnel from the applicant's research group and collaborators in academia and industry. They will have access to world-class equipment to conduct their projects and degree programs. The technology, new knowledge, and trained HQP will benefit the Canadian knowledge-based economy in the energy sector while being of interest to material scientists and engineers, chemical engineers, nanotechnologists, and electrochemists.

自上世纪诞生以来，聚合物电解质膜燃料电池（PEMFC）一直被誉为最有前途的技术，可以满足现代社会不断增长的能源需求，同时解决环境问题。然而，阴极铂（Pt）基催化剂的高成本和较差的耐用性继续阻碍着质子交换膜燃料电池的广泛商业化。作为铂基催化剂的理想替代品，人们提出了用于氧还原反应（ORR）的非贵金属催化剂（NPMC）。经过多年的进步，基于 NPMC 的阴极的活性和耐用性仍远远不能为 PEMFC 系统提供实用的解决方案。为了显着推进 NPMC 研究，必须解决与活性位点相关的挑战。这些挑战包括活性位点密度低、活性位点可接近性低以及固有活性低的不确定活性位点结构。我们建议通过合理设计 NPMC 来克服这些挑战。具体来说，将使用新技术（例如活性位点的原子分散）从 3D 前驱体制备三个系列独特的三维 NPMC（3D-NPMC），具有可调节的活性位点密度、可接近性和固有活性。我们将通过详细的物理化学和电化学表征以及理论计算来优化 ORR 活性和耐久性，并阐明与活性位点相关的潜在因素。有前景的 3D-NPMC 将被制造成独特的 3D 架构 NPMC 阴极，并将在单电池 PEMFC 中进行集成和广泛研究。最佳电极性能和制备参数将通过实验和数值模型确定。随着质子交换膜燃料电池进一步广泛的耐久性测试和相关的测试后表征，长期运行期间性能退化和活性位点演变的机制将被阐明，并相应地开发缓解策略和诊断技术。这项新颖的研究将推进合理设计具有可调谐活性位点的 3D-NPMC 和独特的 3D-NPMC 电极的技术和科学知识，影响材料科学、电化学、纳米技术和清洁能源技术。它还将降低燃料电池制造和分销公司以及相关燃料电池汽车公司的成本。最后，在这项工作中接受培训的 HQP 将接触到来自申请人研究小组以及学术界和工业界合作者的顶尖人才。他们将能够使用世界一流的设备来开展他们的项目和学位课程。技术、新知识和训练有素的总部将有利于加拿大能源领域的知识经济，同时引起材料科学家和工程师、化学工程师、纳米技术专家和电化学家的兴趣。