Synergetic effect induced/tuned bimetallic nanoparticles (Pt-Ni) anchored graphene as a catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction and scalable SS-314L serpentine flow field proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs)

• Published in: Materials science & engineering. B, Solid-state materials for advanced technology Solid-state materials for advanced technology, 2022-08, Vol.282, p.115780, Article 115780
• Main Authors: Velayutham, Rajavel, Palanisamy, Karthikeyan, Manikandan, Ramu, Velumani, Thiagarajan, Kumar AP, Senthil, Puigdollers, Joaquim, Chul Kim, Byung
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bimetallic electrocatalyst; Bimetals; Catalysts; Chemical reduction; Chemical synthesis; Commercialization; Electrocatalysts; Energy conversion; Graphene; Maximum power; Nanoparticles; Oxygen reduction reaction; Oxygen reduction reactions; PEM fuel cell; Platinum; Proton exchange membrane fuel cells; Protons; Serpentine; SS-314L serpentine flow field; Stainless steels
• ISSN: 0921-5107; 1873-4944
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mseb.2022.115780

[Display omitted] •Pt3-Ni/G shows the evident to ECSA (108.56 m2 gPt−1), mass activity (2.2 A mgPt) and specific activity (3.47 mA cm−2) at 0.9 V RHE.•SS-314 serpentine flow field and 0.2 mgPtcm−2 low loading cathode catalyst of Pt3-Ni/G are utilized for fabricated single PEMFC.•Scalable 25 cm2 active area of Pt3-Ni/G//Pt/C single cell achieved the maximum power output of 71.25 W mgPt−1 at a current density of 1.59 A cm−2.•Pt3-Ni/G//Pt/C shows the constant power output of 68.75 W mgPt−1 for 4 h short term fuel cell testing. A simple design of electroactive and cost-effective electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity is crucial towards energy conversion in the commercialization of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Herein, we synthesized a stable electroactive bimetallic catalyst of Ni anchored with low loading of Pt nanoparticles, and graphene used as a supportive material for catalyst integration (Pt3-Ni/G). It exhibited maximum electrochemical surface area (ECSA, 108.56 m2/gPt), mass activity (2.2 A mgPt) and specific activity (3.47 mA cm−2), signifying an excellent ORR activity. In addition, a scalable PEMFC fabrication through 0.2 mgPtcm−2 Pt3-Ni/G as cathode with an active area of 25 cm2 and stainless steel-314L (SS-314L) used as a serpentine flow field. This strategy provides a maximum power output of 71.25 W mgPt−1 at current density 1.59 A cm−2. In addition, Pt3-Ni/C//Pt/C, based PEMFC system delivered a constant power output (68.75 W mgPt−1) even after 4 h of continuous cycling.