Conductive Si doped metal oxide fuel cell catalyst supports: understanding the role of Si content

Current proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) catalysts commonly use platinum supported on carbon (Pt/C) which is susceptible to corrosion, thus a highly conductive and stable Ti3O5 doped by Si (TOS) conductive metal oxide catalyst support is reported. The TOS support was optimized for 20 wt% Si and surface area. The support was studied under intensive electrochemical durability tests and exhibited impressive durability and stability, narrow band gap and high electronic conductivity. The TOS support was platinized (Pt/TOS) and possessed high stability under and electrochemical durability test while experiencing ca. 15% loss to the electrochemical surface area (ECSA) compared to the commercial Pt/C catalyst which decayed by 90%. The Pt/TOS catalyst maintained adequate electroactivity and stability toward the ORR and produced a maximum power density of 900 mW cm-2 compared to 850 mW cm-2 for Pt/C.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Materials Science

Grantor

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2021

Author dc:creator

• Sullivan, Mason Thomas

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Easton, E. Bradley

• Metal oxide
• Electrocatalyst support
• Durability
• Proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10155/1374

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ontariotechu.scholaris.ca:10155/1374