Fuel cells are a promising technology to help meet the increasing demand for power in a wide range of applications – automobiles, spacecraft, submarines, portable electronics, stationary power systems, etc. Fuel cells are versatile, more efficient than internal combustion engines, and provide continuous power (as opposed to a rechargeable battery). Micro fuel cells, in particular, offer an alternative to batteries in portable electronic devices, including cell phones and laptop computers. Their small size, increased energy density, and ability to produce electricity without the need to recharge make micro fuel cells an attractive area of study.
Below- Silver palladium core-shell catalysts supported on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Ag-Pd/MWNTs) are highly active and alcohol tolerant for oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) in alkaline media.
Our research focuses on improving micro fuel cell performance by addressing the key challenges: catalyst utilization, miniaturization, and the cost of design and manufacturing processes. We have developed a novel micro fuel cell using bulk metallic glass (BMG) materials in the catalytic and gas diffusion layers. Our group has previously shown that Pt-rich BMGs offer outstanding electrochemical performance, together with the ability to form fully amorphous, durable, and easily micro-fabricated materials. Ongoing work includes testing various catalyst architectures to achieve superior Pt utilization.
Our research focuses on improving micro fuel cell performance by addressing the key challenges: catalyst utilization, miniaturization, and the cost of design and manufacturing processes. We have developed a novel micro fuel cell using bulk metallic glass (BMG) materials in the catalytic and gas diffusion layers. Our group has previously shown that Pt-rich BMGs offer outstanding electrochemical performance, together with the ability to form fully amorphous, durable, and easily micro-fabricated materials. Ongoing work includes testing various catalyst architectures to achieve superior Pt utilization.
Related Publications:
A high power density miniaturized microbial fuel cell having carbon nanotube anodes, Hao Ren, Soonjae Pyo, Jae-Ik Lee, Tae-Jin Park, Forrest S. Gittleson, Frederick C.C. Leung, Jongbaeg Kim, André D. Taylor, Hyung-Sool Lee, Junseok Chae, 2014, Journal of Power Sources. (in press)
Pd–Ni–Cu–P metallic glass nanowires for methanol and ethanol oxidation in alkaline media. Ryan C. Sekol, Marcelo Carmo, Golden Kumar, Forrest Gittleson, Gustavo Doubek, Kai Sun, Jan Schroers, André D. Taylor,2013, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 38, 11248-11255.
Development and electrochemical studies of membrane electrode assemblies for polymer electrolyte alkaline fuel cells using FAA membrane and ionomer. Marcelo Carmo, Gustavo Doubek, Ryan C. Sekol , Marcelo Linardi, André D. Taylor, 2013, Journal of Power Sources, 230, 169-175.
Bulk Metallic Glass Micro Fuel Cell. Ryan C. Sekol, Golden Kumar, Marcelo Carmo, Forrest Gittleson, Nathan Hardesty-Dyck, Sundeep Mukherjee, Jan Schroers, André D. Taylor, 2013, Small, 9 (12), 2081-2085.
Scalable Fabrication of Multifunctional Freestanding Carbon Nanotube/Polymer Composite Thin Films for Energy Conversion Xiaokai Li, Forrest Gittleson, Marcelo Carmo, Ryan C. Sekol, and André D. Taylor, 2012, ACS Nano, 6, 1347-1356.
Bulk Metallic Glass Nanowire Architecture for Electrochemical Applications Marcelo Carmo, Ryan C. Sekol, Shiyan Ding, Golden Kumar, Jan Schroers, and André D. Taylor (2011), ACS Nano, Vol. 5, No. 4, 2979-2983.
Fuel Cell MEAs (Membrane Electrode Assemblies) Created by Layer-By- Layer Electrostatic Self Assembly Techniques, André D. Taylor, Michel, M., Sekol, R., Kotov, N., Thompson, L.T., 2008, Advanced Functional Materials, 18, 1-7.
Fuel Cell Performance and Characterization of 1-D Carbon Supported Pt Nanocomposites Synthesized in Supercritical Fluids, André D. Taylor, Sekol, R., Kizuka, J., Comisar, C., 2008, Journal of Catalysis, 259, 5-16.
High Performance, Nanostructured Membrane Electrode Assemblies for Fuel Cells Made by LBL of Carbon Nanocolloids, Michel, M., André D. Taylor, Sekol, R., Kotov, N., Thompson, L.T., 2007, Advanced Materials, 19, 3859-3864.
Nanoimprinted Electrodes for Micro Fuel Cell Applications, André D. Taylor, Lucas, B.D., Guo, L.J., Thompson, L.T., 2007, Journal of Power Sources, 171, 218-223.
Inkjet Printing of Carbon Supported Platinum 3-D Catalyst Layers for use in Fuel Cells, André D. Taylor, Kim, E, Humes, V.P., Kizuka, J., Thompson, L.T., 2007, Journal of Power Sources, 171, 101-106.